Dental X-Rays

What are x-rays?
X-rays are a form of radiation that is able to penetrate many otherwise impenetrable materials, including bone and tissue. By placing the area that needs to be photographed between photographic film and the x-ray machine, we can obtain a picture of the area in question, allowing us to view conditions beneath the surface of the body.

How do x-rays work?
During this process, more x-rays are absorbed by dense tissue than by softer tissue. Once these varying amounts of x-ray strike the film they create an image.

Are dental x-rays safe?
Although some may be concerned about the safety of dental x-rays by virtue of the radiation involved, these x-rays involve very low doses of radiation, which makes the risk very small. In fact, the ADA estimates that the amount of radiation exposure involved in four bite wing x-rays is roughly equivalent to that involved in a seven hour flight.
Only a small area of your body is exposed to this radiation, and we take extra precautions (including a lead apron used to cover your body) to limit your exposure. We also only take x-rays when they will be beneficial to prevention and diagnosis.

What are the benefits of dental x-rays?
Although oral examinations are essential to maintaining the healthy state of your mouth, many diseases and problems cannot be detected without the aid of x-rays. These include small areas of decay between teeth, bone infection, abscesses or cysts, developmental abnormalities, and some tumors.
Detecting and treating these problems as early as possible, often before you even feel any signs or symptoms, saves time, money, and discomfort. In fact, detecting some of these problems early, with the use of x-rays, may even save your life!