Dental X-Rays
What are dental x-rays?
Dental radiographs (x-rays) are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.
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What can dental x-rays reveal:
Dental x-ray may reveal the following:
- Abscesses or cysts.
- Bone loss.
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
- Decay between the teeth.
- Developmental abnormalities.
- Poor tooth and root positions.
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.
- Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!
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Are dental x-rays safe?
We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of x-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources. Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. Dentists take necessary precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation when taking dental x-rays. These precautions include using lead apron shields to protect the body and using modern, fast film that cuts down the exposure time of each x-ray.
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What are digital x-rays?
Digital radiography (digital x-ray) is the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping the dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. Digital x-rays reduce radiation 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental x-rays. Dental x-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. Dentists and dental hygienists use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected.
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Why is important for a dentist to use low radiation digital x-rays?
- Safer Technology — Our digital x-ray machines use at least 50% less radiation than conventional film x-rays.
- Better Results — The low radiation digital x-ray technology we use provides results as accurate as conventional x-rays, and reveals things that film x-rays simply can't. Plus, the digital image can be magnified 300x its normal size to enhance diagnosis.
- Faster X-rays — The images appear instantaneously on the computer monitor allowing our dentists to immediately review your x-rays and discuss treatment options with you.
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What are the benefits of digital x-rays?
The speed of our digital x-rays impresses many people but the benefits go far beyond that:
- Up to 80 percent reduction of radiation exposure
- Improved identification of anatomy Access to images
- Increased collaboration among dentists
- Patients’ improved ability to understand and follow treatment
- Electronic transmission of images between collaborating doctors
- Elimination of environmentally unfriendly developing chemicals
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How often should dental x-rays be taken?
The need for dental x-rays depends on each patient’s individual dental health needs. Your dentist and dental hygienist will recommend necessary x-rays based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and risk for disease. A full mouth series of dental x-rays is recommended for new patients. A full series is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing x-rays (x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together) are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.
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