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Digital Dental X-Rays

Dental x-rays are an essential part of preventive dentistry. Routine dental x-rays allow our dentist to see inside your teeth and below your gums. Decay can hide in these areas, making it impossible to detect with only a visual dental exam.

Digital x-rays allow us to accurately and efficiently diagnose dental conditions. When performed regularly, dental x-rays help us to make an earlier diagnosis that could prevent small problems from developing into something more serious in the future.

We Use Low-Dose Digital Dental X-Rays

Patient safety is one of our greatest priorities, and we use low-dose digital x-rays because they reduce radiation exposure by as much as 80 percent compared to traditional film x-rays. You receive more radiation by being outside on a sunny day than you do from digital dental x-rays, so there is no reason to worry.

What Makes Digital Dental X-Rays Different

We obtain the highest resolution images available by using digital dental x-rays in our office. This allows our dentist to accurately analyze the condition of your teeth as well as your periodontal and bone health. The detailed images captured with digital x-rays also make it easy to spot tooth decay in its earliest stages and treat it promptly.

With a proactive approach to your dental care, we can prevent many common dental conditions from developing into more serious problems like root infections, painful emergencies, and even tooth loss.

How Digital X-Rays Work

Taking a dental x-ray involves placing a small digital sensor in your mouth adjacent to the tooth or teeth we wish to capture. Our team will activate the x-ray machine, and in just a second or two, we will have a picture of the target area.

Moving the digital sensor around to each section of your mouth allows us to obtain images of each tooth.

Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays

The health benefits of getting routine dental x-rays far outweigh the minimal risk involved with taking them. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this process.

Because the images we capture are sent to our treatment room monitors, our dentist can bring them up on the screen for immediate review. This is especially important when diagnosing emergency dental conditions; you do not have to wait for an answer, and we can work quickly to relieve any discomfort you are experiencing.

Digital images allow us to zoom in, adjust exposure, and modify the contrast of each image, so our dentist always has the most accurate information about your oral health and can provide you with the best dental care possible.

Contact Us if It Is Time for Your Next Dental Exam

Give us a call, and we will find a time that works for you. Our friendly and professional team looks forward to welcoming you to our dental office.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need dental x-rays?

As with all dental treatment, we personalize your dentistry to meet your health needs and will make recommendations designed to keep you healthy and comfortable. According to the ADA, for most patients, yearly x-rays are enough to evaluate your teeth, bone, and gums and identify any conditions that put your oral health at risk.

If you suffer from gum disease (periodontal disease) or you have a history of losing teeth, we may recommend x-rays more frequently. Conversely, if you do not have significant dentistry or a history of tooth decay, we may be able to schedule x-rays every two years if you remain healthy.

Here are some of the different types of x-rays commonly offered:

Bitewing x-rays – checks for dental decay (yearly)
Full mouth x-rays – examines the tooth structure from crown to root and assesses bone levels (every 3 to 5 years)
Periapical x-rays – typically used for restorative dentistry or emergency dental appointments when an image of the whole tooth structure is needed (as needed)
Panoramic x-rays – takes a comprehensive image of all of your teeth at once and includes your jaw joints, bone, and dental anatomy (every 3 to 5 years)

Every patient is different, and the timelines listed above are a generalization based on averages. We will adjust your x-ray recall schedule to ensure you always have up-to-date information regarding your oral health.

How necessary are dental x-rays?

While our dentists can diagnose many conditions with a visual exam, we cannot always see what is happening beneath your protective tooth enamel or below your gumline. Digital dental x-rays make this possible and allow us to make an earlier diagnosis, potentially saving you time and money and allowing us to treat conditions before they become critical – or painful.

By offering digital dental x-rays, we have significantly improved the safety of the care we provide. Digital dental x-rays emit up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays and give us instant access to high-resolution images for proper diagnosis of conditions such as bone loss, decay, and infection.

The cost of dental x-rays is low compared to complex restorative dentistry, making them a good investment in your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Without them, we would only have part of the story when it comes to your health, and the rest would be left to chance.

If you have questions about the necessity, safety, or process of digital dental x-rays, we encourage you to call or ask at your next appointment. We are dedicated to providing quality dentistry that supports a healthy, comfortable smile, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Are dental x-rays safe?

Yes. Today's digital x-rays are far safer than traditional radiographs. They emit less radiation, equivalent to taking a short walk in the sun. They also produce crisp and resizable images for your dentist, and this contributes to improved diagnostics and better treatment planning. Digital x-rays are also environmentally friendly compared to radiographs of the past.

Why do I need x-rays?

X-rays are a dentist's most important diagnostic tool. Often, problems start inside your teeth or beneath the gum line. By the time the problem is visible to the naked eye, it can be painful and more difficult to treat. Using x-rays taken on a regular basis, we can catch problems early and treat them quickly and comfortably.

Do you take x-rays and do fluoride treatments on children?

We will determine the type of preventive care necessary for your child based on recommendations from the American Dental Association and your child’s unique needs. If you have concerns about certain types of treatment, call our office; we will be happy to discuss those with you.