Digital X-Rays Specialist

What is a Digital X-ray?

Modern technological advances in dental medicine have introduced digital radiography or digital x-ray, reducing a patient’s exposure to radiation and creating almost instant images of the interior of the teeth. Digital X-rays use an electronic sensor instead of x-ray film to take the image and store it on a computer. The images can be instantly viewed and manipulated by the dentist to see easily if there are any developing issues. Dental X-rays are a valuable tool in diagnosing issues as some dental conditions are not visible to the naked eye during their early stages. Digital X-rays are faster and more comfortable to take, reducing the patient's time in the chair.

What Conditions Do Dental X-rays Reveal?

• Bone loss
• Abscesses or cysts
• Decay between the teeth
• Developmental abnormalities.
• Poor tooth and root positions.
• Cancerous and noncancerous tumors
• Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Are Dental X-rays Safe?

Advancements in X-ray technology have drastically reduced the amount of radiation a patient is exposed to when an X-ray is taken. Digital X-rays reduce that exposure even more, up to 80-90% less than traditional techniques. This makes digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient. Even though digital x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, dentists still take precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. Precautions include only using lead apron shields and only taking x-rays when absolutely necessary.

How Often Should Dental X-rays Be Taken?

The dentist will usually take X-rays on the patient’s first visit as part of the extended consultation and to provide a base image of the patient’s teeth for comparison against the future. Otherwise, the need for dental x-rays depends on the patient’s individual dental health needs. X-rays may be ordered depending on the results from a dental exam, signs and symptoms, age, and risk of disease. Unless a developing dental issue necessitates it, a full set of X-rays should be good for three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays, where images are taken of top and bottom teeth biting together, are usually taken at routine visits to monitor for new dental problems.