Dental Radiographs

Dental radiographs, or digital X-rays are an extremely progressive addition to our dental office. Digital X-rays are computer generated images that require up to 90% less radiation than with conventional film type X-rays. These avoid using the traditional silver-oxide X-ray film that must be developed and then fixed in caustic and environmentally damaging solutions. Instead, the new system takes pictures via a small electronic sensor and then instantaneously transmits a picture of the tooth onto the video monitor in the treatment room, letting us see your teeth and surrounding structures immediately. Not only does the new digital X-ray eliminate the usual wait time that film needs to be processed, it is highly sensitive, so patients are exposed to even less radiation than with conventional X-rays.

X-ray projections appear on computer monitors within a few seconds in full view so patients and our professional team can simultaneously see the results. The computer allows enlargement, highlighting, inverting, magnifying, clear viewing and increased contrast of X-ray photos. This new technology also allows our dentists to detect cavities far better than with the old system. That means that we can correct them sooner and easier for you, before they seriously weaken the tooth. An example of digital X-ray is shown here in small size. You can envision what this would look like in a full screen dimension.

Our state-of-the-art digital panorex unit enables us office to take images of your entire dentition with just one X-ray. Panoramic X-rays provide a broad view of the jaws, teeth, sinuses, nasal area and temporomandibular (jaw) joints. These X-rays do not show the detail needed to detect cavities, but they do reveal problems such as impacted teeth, bone abnormalities, cysts, solid growths (tumors), infections and fractures. The ultimate benefit of our digital panorex unit is that it uses 75% less radiation than a conventional panorex machine.

Dental X-rays are pictures of the teeth, bones, and surrounding soft tissues to screen for and help identify problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw. X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination. Dental X-rays may also be done as follow-up after dental treatments.

Dental X-rays are usually used to:

• Detect problems in the mouth such as tooth decay, damage to the bones supporting your teeth and dental injuries (such as broken tooth roots). Dental X-rays can often detect these problems early, before any symptoms appear.
• Detect teeth that are abnormally placed or have not erupted through the gums properly.
• Detect cysts, solid growths (tumors) or abscesses caused by certain dental problems.
• Evaluate the presence and location of permanent teeth growing in the jaw in children who still have their primary (or baby) teeth.
• Plan treatment for large or extensive cavities, root canal therapy placement of dental implants and difficult tooth removals.
• Plan treatment of teeth that are not properly aligned (orthodontic treatment).