Digital dental X-rays are a vital tool in maintaining and improving your oral health. They allow us to get a clear picture of what’s happening beneath the surface of your teeth and gums, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Here’s how they help our Burlington dentist monitor your dental health, catch potential issues early, and design personalized treatment plans for every stage of your life.
Your oral health evolves over time, and digital X-ray images help our dentist keep track of these changes:
Therefore, regularly updating X-rays allows our dentist to adjust your care plan as your dental needs evolve.
Digital images help catch cavities between teeth or under existing fillings before they worsen. They also allow us to identify abscesses, cysts, or other signs of infection in the roots or jawbone.
Monitoring your jawbone’s health, especially if you struggle with periodontal disease or missing teeth, is essential to your overall health and well-being. Digital radiographs help us determine the next steps in your dental care plan to restore your jaw’s strength.
Revealing teeth that are unable to emerge properly, such as wisdom teeth, gives us more clarity as to when they should be removed to prevent potential problems.
Digital X-rays are safe, precise, quick and comfortable. They also use less radiation than traditional X-rays, so the risk of exposure is very low, making them a safe option for patients of all ages. However, we will still place lead apron shields to protect the body from potential radiation exposure and bring patients peace of mind.
A digital X-ray machine consists of digital X-ray sensors, which replace traditional film. This small sensor is more sensitive to radiation, allowing for a lower dose of X-rays while still producing high-quality images.
Before taking X-rays, one of our dental hygienists will position you comfortably in the dental chair. To protect against any radiation exposure, we use lead apron shields which are placed over your chest and abdomen.
Next, we’ll position the digital electronic sensor inside your mouth, depending on the area requiring examination (teeth, gums, or jawbone). We’ll then activate the X-ray machine, which captures the X-ray image almost instantly.
Once the X-ray is taken, the digital sensor converts the X-ray data into a digital image which is connected to a computer. This process is typically fast, allowing us to see the image on the computer within seconds. The digital images can be enhanced, adjusted for contrast and brightness, and magnified for better visibility.
We’ll analyze the X-rays to identify issues such as cavities, infections, bone loss, or abnormalities in tooth structure. The detailed images assist in creating a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs.
An intraoral camera is a small, pen-like device that our dental team uses to capture high-resolution images of the inside of your mouth. These cameras are equipped with a light source and a lens that allows for clear visualization of teeth, gums, and other oral structures. The images generated by an intraoral camera are displayed on our computers in real-time, enabling us to identify issues such as cavities, gum disease, and other dental conditions more effectively. They greatly enhance patient education by allowing you to see exactly what we’re seeing, helping you understand your oral health and the need for certain treatments.
Call our office to book your next appointment today! Whether you’re a recurring or new patient, we look forward to seeing you again and helping educate you on your oral health. If you ever have any questions about the technology in our office, don’t hesitate to ask! We take pride in always being open, honest and transparent with our patients.
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