Dental X-Ray in Chișinău

We order an image when an examination alone cannot tell us what is happening with a tooth. Typical situations: a tooth hurts and there is no visible cause; we suspect decay between teeth or under an old filling; we need to assess a root before root canal treatment and check the quality of the filling afterwards; your gums bleed and we want to check the bone around the teeth; an extraction, an implant or a prosthesis is planned.

For gum disease, the panoramic image shows the bone level around all the teeth, and close-up images clarify the condition of individual areas. In gum treatment (periodontology) we use these data to plan treatment and then to compare the result. Before removing a difficult wisdom tooth we usually start with a panoramic image, and if the roots lie close to the nerve, we order a CBCT scan (3D dental scan).

We do not take an X-ray without a medical reason. If all you need is plaque removal or polishing of a filling, no image is required. How often preventive images are taken to look for decay depends on individual risk: people with multiple cavities have them more often, and people at low risk less often. We take an X-ray only when the image will change the treatment. Tell us if you are or may be pregnant. In that case we take an image only when it is necessary.

A close-up image takes a couple of minutes right in the dental chair, so we often take it during treatment, for example to measure the length of the canals. The panoramic image itself takes a few seconds, and the whole procedure, with preparation, takes about five minutes. No special preparation is needed, and you can eat and drink as usual. The result is ready at once. It can be saved and used for comparison at later visits.

Modern digital images give a low radiation dose, especially close-up images on a sensor. Even so, we order any X-ray only when it is indicated and keep the number of images to a minimum. We keep the dose low: we use digital sensors, take only the images we need and use a protective apron or collar when needed. With children and teenagers we are stricter still: images only for clear indications and always with protective equipment. If you have had images taken recently at another clinic, bring them: we will assess whether a repeat examination can be avoided.

Regular images matter most for people with decay under old fillings, crowns or implants. Comparing images over several years shows whether the bone is stable and whether new lesions have appeared. This lets us spot a problem in time and treat it before pain begins. Before a wisdom tooth removal, the panoramic image shows the position of the roots and the neighbouring teeth, and when in doubt we add a CT scan.