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What does a dentist see when they read a dental x-ray?

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What does a dentist see when they read a dental x-ray?

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When a dentist evaluates a dental x-ray (a radiograph) for evidence of tooth decay they are actually examining the image on the film for hints of changes in the density of the tooth’s enamel and dentin. The principle associated with taking of dental radiographs is that hard mineralized tooth tissues will block out some of the x-rays attempting to pass through the tooth on their way to reaching the x-ray film. So, the parts of the dental film that lie protected behind a tooth’s enamel and dentin portions will be less exposed (have fewer x-rays hit them), and thus look lighter in color on the x-ray film (radiograph). Since areas of tooth decay are a demineralization of the tooth’s hard tissues, or even a frank hole in the tooth if the decay process has progressed far enough, those locations on the tooth where decay has formed will appear as darkened areas on a radiograph. This is because the decayed portion of the tooth is less “hard,” or less intact, and therefore the x-rays can penetra

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