Digital X-Rays

What Are Digital X-Rays?

Digital radiography is the latest technology used to take dental X-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor instead of X-ray film to capture and store digital images on a computer. The image can be instantly viewed and enlarged, helping us detect problems more easily and explain findings clearly to you.

Digital X-rays reduce radiation by 80-90% compared to the already low exposure of traditional dental X-rays, making them safer for you and your family.

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Why X-Rays Are Essential

Dental X-rays are essential preventative and diagnostic tools that provide valuable information not visible during a regular dental exam. We use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden dental abnormalities and complete an accurate treatment plan. Without X-rays, problem areas can go undetected.

Digital X-rays may reveal:

• 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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Safety and Comfort

We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. Digital X-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to traditional dental X-rays. Not only are digital X-rays better for your health and safety, they are faster and more comfortable to take, which reduces your time in the dental office.

Since the digital image is captured electronically, there is no need to develop the X-rays, eliminating the disposal of harmful waste and chemicals into the environment.

Even though digital X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, we still take necessary precautions to limit your exposure to radiation. These precautions include only taking those X-rays that are necessary and using lead apron shields to protect your body.

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How Often You'll Need X-Rays

The need for dental X-rays depends on your individual dental health needs. We will recommend necessary X-rays based upon the review of your medical and dental history, a dental exam, signs and symptoms, your age, and risk of 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 visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.