Digital X-Rays
Periodic dental x-rays allow our dentist to see below the surfaces of your teeth. Decay can hide underneath your enamel or just below the gum line, making it impossible to detect with just a visual dental exam.
Dental x-rays are an essential part of preventive dentistry. We will recommend them periodically to rule out any problems.
We Use an Ultra-Safe Digital Dental X-Ray System
Digital x-rays allow our dentists to accurately and efficiently diagnose dental conditions. When performed regularly, dental x-rays can allow us to make an earlier diagnosis that could prevent more serious dental conditions in the future.
What Makes Digital Dental X-Rays Different?
By implementing the use of digital dental x-rays in our office, we obtain the highest resolution digital images available. This allows our dentist to gain a more accurate analysis of the condition of your teeth as well as your periodontal and bone health.
By taking a proactive approach to your dental care, we are able to prevent many common dental conditions that lead to root canal treatment, painful emergencies, and even tooth loss.
How Digital X-Rays Work
We will place a small digital sensor in your mouth adjacent to the tooth or teeth we wish to capture. Our team will activate the x-ray machine, and in just a second or two, we will have a picture of the target area.
We will move the digital sensor around to each section of your mouth to obtain images of each tooth.
Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays
Digital dental x-rays are extremely safe. They reduce the amount of radiation emitted during the process by as much as 80 percent. You receive more radiation by being outside on a sunny day than you do from digital dental x-rays, so there is no reason to worry.
The health benefits of getting routine dental x-rays far outweigh the risk. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this process.
Because the images we capture are sent to our treatment room monitors, our dentist can bring them up on the screen for immediate review. This is especially important when diagnosing emergency dental conditions. That way, you do not have to wait for an answer and we can work quickly to relieve any discomfort you are experiencing.
Digital images allow us to zoom in, adjust exposure, and modify the contrast of each image, so our dentist always has the most accurate information about your oral health and can provide you with the best dental care possible.
Contact Us if It Is Time for Your Next Dental Exam
Give us a call and we will find a time that works for you. Our friendly and professional team looks forward to welcoming you to our dental office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth are very complex, and in many cases, it is impossible to see everything that is going on with a tooth by the naked eye. Routine x-rays are recommended so that we can diagnose interproximal tooth decay (cavities in between your teeth) because it is impossible for us otherwise to see in between your back teeth. By taking these routine x-rays, we are able to identify normal-size cavities before they become large cavities, so that fillings can be done before a tooth becomes infected which then requires a root canal or extraction. X-rays are also necessary so that we can see the anatomy of the roots of your teeth. Teeth have large roots below the surface of your gums and the roots can only be seen via x-ray. We need to take x-rays to identify abscessed teeth, to check the anatomy of the roots prior to tooth extraction, and to verify the total health of your teeth every 5 years or so. Rest assured that we do everything we can to minimize your radiation exposure, and that we only take the least amount of x-rays that are needed for your situation to provide you with the best possible dental care. We also have all digital radiography which drastically reduces the amount of radiation that you are exposed to.
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Rebecca R. Steves DMD
Dentist
Dr. Becky grew up in nearby North East, where she graduated from North East High School. She attended Penn State Behrend and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. Shortly after graduation from Behrend, ...
Dr. Andrea S. Ball DMD
Dentist
Dr. Andrea grew up in the Clymer/Findley Lake area and attended Clymer Central School. While in high school, Dr. Andrea decided she was very interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. At that time, she ...