To improve your care, we've invested in a new way of looking into your mouth—a procedure that's fast and incredibly precise – digital X-rays. Digital X-rays are computer-generated images. These images require up to 90% less radiation than with conventional film type X-rays. What's even more amazing is that we get an image immediately that is large, clear and accurate, and the files are sent right next to your chair…ready for discussion. The computer allows enlargement, highlighting, magnifying, inverting, clear viewing, color-coding and contrasting of X-ray photos for educational purposes.
For insurance purposes, referrals or patient education, a digital radiograph can be accurately reproduced any number of times. This new technology adds further benefits for our patients. We can detect cavities far better than with the old system, and sooner and smaller than ever before. That means that we can correct them sooner and easier for you, before they seriously weaken the tooth. In summary, digital X-rays are faster and allow us to provide better quality care.
The different types of X-rays we take here:
- Bitewing-These show the crowns of several upper and lower teeth on one small film. This type of X-ray is especially useful for showing cavities between teeth and changes in bone caused by periodontal disease.
- Periapical-This X-ray shows entire teeth, including all of the roots and surrounding tissues on one small film. These X-rays show many kinds of disorders, including impacted teeth, fractures, abscesses, cysts, and tumors.
- Full-mouth series-This is a complete set of bitewing and periapical X-rays that show all of the teeth, roots, and related areas of the jaws. This consists of 18 X-ray pictures that are taken. This Full-mouth series is taken once every 3-5 years.