What are Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays are images that capture the inside of your mouth, including teeth, bones, and surrounding tissue. Our dentist uses different types of X-rays depending on what he is looking for:
Bitewing X-rays:
Bitewing x-rays capture details between the teeth. They are perfect for detecting cavities between the teeth and showing the upper and lower teeth in one area. They are the most common type of digital dental x-ray.
Periapical X-rays:
Periapical x-rays show the entire tooth, root, and bone structure. They are used to assess specific problem areas in the mouth.
Panoramic X-rays:
Panoramic x-rays shows a full view of the mouth in a single image. This kind of view helps with wisdom tooth placement, orthodontic treatment planning, diagnosing jaw issues and much more.
Each type of digital x-ray is tailored to show specific areas, ensuring our dentist gets an accurate look at your dental health.
Why are Dental X-Rays Important?
Dental X-rays allow Dr. Silverman to see what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums. They can reveal:
- Hidden decay between teeth or under existing fillings
- Bone loss associated with gum disease
- Abscesses or other infections
- Developmental abnormalities
- Impacted wisdom teeth
- Problems with root canals
- Changes in bone or tooth position
Benefits of Regular Dental X-Rays
1. Early Detection
- Find problems (i.e. cavities) before they cause pain
- Allow for less invasive treatment options
- Save money by addressing issues early
- Check for any signs of bone loss that could indicate gum disease
- Locate any hidden infections or abscesses that need immediate attention
2. Comprehensive Care
- Help create detailed treatment plans for orthodontic braces, dental implants, tooth extractions and more
- Monitor ongoing dental work
- Track changes in oral health over time
3. Prevention
- Identify potential problems before they develop
- Guide preventive care strategies
- Support long-term oral health
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Yes, modern digital dental x-rays are safe. One of the most common concerns about dental X-rays is safety, particularly regarding radiation exposure.
Dental X-rays emit very low levels of radiation, especially with the use of modern digital X-ray machines, which we use at Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. Our machines reduce radiation exposure even further.
In fact, digital X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays.
Digital x-rays are also safe for children. They are sometimes needed to see certain aspects of a child’s mouth, such as the jaw formation and tooth decay.
Here’s what we do at our office to keep patients safe:
- Minimized Exposure: Dental X-rays produce only a fraction of the radiation you’d get from other sources, like a short airplane flight or even the sun. Digital dental x-rays are equivalent to a few hours of natural background radiation that you’d get from cell phones, computers, etc.
- Lead Aprons and Shields: We follow strict safety protocols and use protective gear to ensure you’re exposed to the lowest amount of radiation possible.
- Tailored to Individual Needs: Dentists follow guidelines to minimize X-rays and only recommend them when necessary for your specific oral health situation.
If you are pregnant or if there’s a chance you’re pregnant, please let our team know before getting x-rays.
Are dental x-rays safe? Want to learn more about dental x-rays?
What Should I Expect When I Need Dental X-rays?
The process is quick and comfortable:
- Takes just a few minutes
- You’ll wear a protective lead apron
- Our dental technician will position small sensors in your mouth
- You’ll be asked to bite down gently
- No pain or discomfort involved
How Long Does a Dental X-Ray Take?
Most dental X-rays are quick and take just a few minutes. The entire process is safe, comfortable, and minimally invasive. With digital X-rays, images are available instantly, allowing our dentist to review them with you on the spot.
How Often Do I Need Dental X-Rays?
The frequency of dental X-rays depends on your current oral health, age, and risk factors. Generally:
- For new patients: You’ll most likely need a complete set of X-rays to establish a baseline
- For adults with good oral health: You’ll need bitewing X-rays every 12-18 months
- For routine dental visits: You’ll need X-rays once every 1-2 years.
- For children: They’ll need more frequent X-rays to monitor growth and development
- For high-risk patients: You may need more frequent X-rays
Rest assured, our dentist will only recommend X-rays when they’re necessary for your best dental care.
What About Cost and Insurance for Digital Dental X-rays?
Most dental insurance plans cover routine X-rays as part of preventive care. Typically:
- Covered at 80-100% for routine X-rays
- May have frequency limitations
If you need exact information regarding your dental benefits and dental x-rays, please check with your insurance provider. Our friendly team can also do a complimentary dental benefits check for you.
A More Comfortable Experience for Our Patients
Dr. Silverman is both an adviser and beta tester for DEXIS™ Dental Imaging. DEXIS™ designed the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association and is the most highly-awarded digital x-ray system in the dental community.
“DEXIS™ Titanium Digital X-Ray Sensor and DTX StudioTM Clinic software provide crystal clear images, an easy, time-efficient workflow, and enhanced patient comfort.”
Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry is committed to using state-of-the-art dental technology like DEXIS™ to provide the highest quality of care for our patients.
“The ease of use, the simplicity of it, the efficiency I’ve seen in my workflow— it’s just a great digital hub for patient images and I don’t know what I would ever do without it!” – Brett S. Silverman, DDS, MAGD, LLSR
Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry encourages you to schedule your complimentary consultation for a healthy mouth.
Why Choose Us for Your Dental X-Rays?
At our dental office in Alpharetta, patient comfort and safety come first. We use state-of-the-art digital X-ray technology to ensure your experience is efficient, safe, and informative.
Our friendly dentist and talented team are happy to answer any questions you have about the process, and we’re committed to making your dental visits as comfortable as possible.
Investing in preventive care through regular check-ups and X-rays can help avoid more costly and uncomfortable dental procedures in the future. Your smile is worth it!
If you have a question or you would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 678-389-9000 or submit the contact form on this page.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!