Creating Confident Smiles
Dental X-Ray
Our practice uses top of the line technologies to take computer images of your teeth. Digital x-ray sensors replace traditional photographic x-ray film and bite trays to produce enhanced computer images of your mouth. These images are available in seconds and can be viewed on a computer monitor. Detailed images of teeth, gums, and other oral structures and conditions are highly visible and are easy to show patients their x-ray in order to explain a diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan. Digital x-ray images are easily copied, printed, emailed, stored, and/or backed up for quick reference. Comparing images from previous visits help to track changes in your oral health.
Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays
Most modern dental offices have switched over to digital x-ray from film x-ray, including ours! There are so many benefits to making the switch. Digital x-ray uses 70 percent less radiation than its film counterparts. There is less discomfort since bite trays aren’t used, less time in the chair, and dental problems are detected sooner due to clearer images!
One of the greatest benefits to digitalized x-rays is the ability to zoom in on screen any images that may reflect questionable areas on your teeth. Problems can be easily diagnosed and if a second opinion is required, digital images are easily emailed to another specialist. Also, as a patient, we are able to show you with ease on a screen immediately what is being observed.
Types of Digital X-Rays
There are three different types of digital x-rays. Intraoral digital dental x-rays are taken inside your mouth while extraoral digital x-rays are taken outside your mouth. Bite-wing and periapical x-rays are intraoral -rays and panoramic x-rays are extraoral.
Bite-Wing X-Rays
Bite-wing x-rays are used for detecting decay in between your teeth, to check the condition of the bone around your teeth, and to assess the fit an integrity of dental restorations, which can include crowns and fillings. When using bite-wings, you will bite down on a sensor for an x-ray to be taken of a specific part of the mouth.
Periapical X-Rays
Periapical x-rays are used to detect dental abscesses and bone loss around the tooth. This type of x-ray will show the entire tooth from its crown to the tip of the root. The bone surrounding the tooth will also be displayed.
Panoramic X-Rays
Panoramic x-rays are used to assess jaw problems and potentially impacted wisdom teeth. This type of x-ray is also very useful in planning dental implants and other dental treatments.
