Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays

We want our patients to have healthy smiles, and that means we will recommend routine dental X-rays. To ensure the best care for our patients, we are pleased to offer digital dental X-rays. With lower radiation and faster processing speeds, these scans are the gold standard in dental care. We recommend that you have digital dental X-rays at least once a year.

How do Dental X-Rays Work?

Digital dental X-rays send beams of radiation into your mouth, where they hit a sensor that transmits images of your teeth and bones to a computer. The radiation can pass through the soft tissue in your mouth to capture images of the teeth and bones. This process is similar to the process of traditional X-rays but without the need to develop and read film.

What are the Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays?

When you visit your dentist in Encinitas, CA, and they offer you digital X-rays, there is a good reason. This diagnostic tool is highly accurate at detecting dental problems. It’s also a safer procedure than traditional X-rays. In general, digital X-rays use much less radiation than traditional X-rays, sometimes as much as 90% less, putting you at less risk. In addition, results come in minutes, rather than hours, so you can quickly know the status of your oral health.

What Types of Oral Health Problems Can Digital X-Rays Detect?

At North Coast Smiles, we use digital dental X-rays to detect problems with the teeth and the bones in the mouth and jaw so we can choose the right dental treatment. The most common problem is cavities, which are areas of decay between the teeth. Today’s X-rays can detect even small areas of decay, making it easier to find and fix cavities before they worsen.

In addition to cavities, our dental team will use digital X-rays to detect:

• Bone loss: As you age, or if you are dealing with a bone-weakening disorder, you can lose bone density in your jaw, which we can see on an x-ray.
• Infection: Many types of infection can show up on X-rays, allowing us to find and treat these problems.
• Abscesses: If you have an infection under the gumline, we can see it on an X-ray.
• Growths: Growths, like tumors and cysts, will show up on x-rays. Sometimes we can diagnose the type of growth using just an X-ray.
• Unerupted teeth: Teeth that haven’t broken the surface of the gum line will show up on x-ray.
• Impacted teeth: Adult teeth that are impacted can cause serious problems, and we can spot these on X-ray.

As you can see, digital dental X-rays are important diagnostic tools, and we find them to be a vital part of your overall oral healthcare.

What to Expect from Your X-Ray Appointment

If you visit North Coast Smiles and we tell you that it’s time for x-rays, the test is fairly simple. First, we will place a lead apron over your body and neck to protect you from any excess radiation. We will then place a small sensor in your mouth, position the X-ray machine by your cheek, and take the image. It will be important for you to hold still during this process. We will then repeat the process on the other side of your mouth, and sometimes we will need a couple of different angles. The process takes just a few minutes.

Typically, we will then proceed with your cleaning and exam. At some point during the exam, we will have your scans ready, and your dentist will read them. If we find any concerns, we’ll set up a time to address them.

Digital dental X-rays are fairly simple and standard for most dentists in Encinitas, CA. If you’re due for X-rays, reach out to us to schedule your appointment.