Digital Radiographs: Are they needed?
Digital Radiographs in Dentistry
How often you need dental radiographs depends on your history of tooth decay and gum disease. Radiographs are essential tools—without them, dentists cannot accurately detect cavities, periodontal disease, or even signs of oral cancer.
X-ray frequency depends on your individual dental health.
Your dentist will recommend X-rays based on your age, health history, symptoms, and risk factors.
We understand it may seem concerning when our team wears protective gear and steps out of the room during x-rays. However, thanks to modern digital technology, dental radiographs are extremely safe. In fact, everyday activities like being outdoors, flying, or carrying a smartphone often expose you to more radiation than a few dental x-rays.
To put things in perspective, here’s a graphic that shows just how minimal your radiation exposure is during a dental visit.
Digital radiographs (x-rays) are a modern, eco-friendly diagnostic tool that offers clearer images with significantly less radiation than traditional film x-rays. They allow dentists to view, enhance, and share images easily, enabling better diagnosis, treatment planning, and specialist referrals without repeat imaging.
Benefits include:
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Reduced radiation exposure
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Faster, chemical-free processing
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Improved image clarity for early detection of issues like decay, bone loss, tumors, and tooth positioning
Digital x-rays use an electronic sensor instead of film and typically include periapical and bitewing views to assess roots, jawbone, and overall dental health. Images appear within seconds and can be adjusted for better visibility.
Here are some of the main conditions that digital radiographs can better expose:
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