A hidden cavity
Receding bone levels
Protective apron
Complete Series X-rays
Why do I need a complete series of x-rays?
A complete series of x-rays is the first step in a thorough dental examination because it gives a full view of your mouth. We use the complete series to find a variety of oral conditions, including:
- Cavities between the teeth
- Tartar on the tooth roots
- Worn-out or broken fillings or crowns
- Receding bone levels resulting from periodontal disease
- Abscesses
What happens during the procedure?
First we cover you with a lead apron to protect the rest of your body while we take x-rays of your mouth. Then we place a small packet of x-ray film inside your mouth. When you bite on the tab on the side of the packet, the film is properly lined up to get a picture of your upper and lower teeth at the same time.
We repeat this process with 18 separate film packets in specific locations to thoroughly evaluate your entire mouth.
Is a complete series of x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays use high-speed film, so the amount of radiation exposure is very low. Machines vary, but a full series of x-rays adds only as much radiation as you'd get in nineteen days from natural sources such as sunlight, minerals in the soil, home appliances, and cosmic rays.
Even if you've recently had x-rays taken of other parts of your body, a full-mouth set of x-rays doesn't add to the total amount of radiation in your system because x-ray radiation does not stay in the body.
A complete series of x-rays is an important part of a thorough dental examination. They give us vital information that we can't get from any other source.
Bitewing X-rays
Why do I need bitewing x-rays?
Bitewing x-rays are the most common x-rays taken in dentistry. We use them to find a variety of conditions, including:
- Cavities between the teeth
- Tartar on the tooth roots
- Worn-out or broken fillings or crowns
- Receding bone levels resulting from periodontal disease
What happens during the procedure?
First we cover you with a lead apron to protect the rest of your body while we take x-rays of your mouth. Then we place a small packet of x-ray film inside your mouth. When you bite on the tab on the side of the packet, the film is properly lined up to get a picture of your upper and lower teeth at the same time.
Are bitewing x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays use high-speed film, so the amount of radiation exposure is very low. Though machines vary, bitewing x-rays add only as much radiation as you'd get in four days from natural sources such as sunlight, minerals in the soil, home appliances, and cosmic rays.
Even if you've recently had x-rays taken of other parts of your body, bitewing x-rays don't add to the total amount of radiation in your system because x-ray radiation does not stay in the body.
Bitewing x-rays are a necessary part of regular dental checkups. They give us vital information that we can't get from any other source.
A panographic x-ray
The camera rotates around you
Panographic X-rays
Why do I need panographic x-rays?
A panographic x-ray gives us a comprehensive view of your mouth, including your teeth, jawbone, jaw joint, and the sinuses. It gives us valuable information about a variety of oral conditions, including:
- Position of wisdom teeth
- Jaw-joint problems
- Sinus problems
- Receding bone levels resulting from periodontal disease
- Abscesses
What happens during the procedure?
First we cover you with a lead apron to protect the rest of your body while we take x-rays of your mouth. Then the x-ray film is positioned outside your mouth, and the x-ray head rotates around you.
Are panographic x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays use high-speed film, so the amount of radiation exposure is very low. Though machines vary, a panographic x-ray adds only about as much radiation as you'd get in ten days from natural sources such as sunlight, minerals in the soil, home appliances, and cosmic rays.
Even if you've recently had x-rays taken of other parts of your body, a panographic x-ray doesn't add to the total amount of radiation in your system because x-ray radiation does not stay in the body.
Panographic x-rays are comfortable and safe. They give us vital information that we can't get from any other source.