Digital Dental X-rays for Improved Diagnostics

Since the 1800s, dentists have used dental X-rays to identify dental issues lurking beneath the gum line. Until X-rays were invented, health issues beneath the skin surface — bone loss, cysts, tumors, impacted wisdom teeth, and infected teeth — were diagnosed based on educated guesses. Since their discovery, X-rays have undergone significant advancement. At Neal Edwards DDS in Riverside, California, we offer digital X-rays — the safest, most accurate, and environment-friendly radiography available on the planet. 

Why do you need dental X-rays?

During your dental exam, your dentist may request dental X-rays to have an all-round view of your dental health. While your dentist performs visual and physical oral examinations, dental X-rays are needed to check the health of your jawbone, roots, and other oral structures not visible to the naked eye.

Imagine having a debilitating toothache, but your dentist sees no sign of cavities, fractures, or infection. Without the ability to look beyond your tooth, your dentist will only base the diagnosis on guesswork. Your tooth may have a crack or abscess beneath the gum line. An X-ray reveals these conditions to help the dentist prescribe conservative yet effective treatment, hopefully without extracting the troublesome tooth. 

How often should you have dental X-rays taken? If you aren’t at risk of cavities or don’t have dental pain, you need dental X-rays every few years. However, if you are at risk of tooth decay, cysts, and other abnormalities, you may need dental X-rays annually. 

What do digital X-rays look like?

Gone are the days when you had to wait for hours or even days for your imaging results to be available. Modern X-rays are instant. Your digital X-rays are visible on a computer screen. Your dentist uses X-ray images to determine the appropriate treatment. Even better, we can zoom in to view detailed parts of the image.

Dentists also use panoramic X-rays for better diagnosis. This machine makes all your teeth visible in one continuous, flat image, helping the dentist establish the relationship between teeth.

Benefits of digital X-rays

Digital X-rays have numerous benefits over their conventional counterparts. These include:

• Images are super-detailed
• Results are instant
• These X-rays emit 70% less radiation than traditional X-rays
• Ease of image storage
• Environment friendly — no chemicals are required to process the images

Due for some dental X-rays in Riverside, CA? Please dial (951) 614-0033 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Neal Edwards and the team.