7 Benefits of Low Radiation Digital X-Rays
A dentist can’t see inside a tooth or through the jawbone, even with the most thorough visual examination. Thankfully, dental imaging provides precise imagery of the interior of your teeth and surrounding structures that aren’t visible to the naked eye, ensuring an efficient and proper diagnosis. This way, you’re sure to get the appropriate treatment.
Primarily, the dentist uses dental x-rays to check for symptoms of potential oral problems such as cavities, gum disease, jawbone disorders, abnormal lesions, and an impacted wisdom tooth. The x-rays can help during dental treatments like dental implants, tooth extractions, root canals, and orthodontic treatments.
Generally, dental x-rays are performed yearly. Your age, oral health history, and existing oral problems are common factors the dentist can use to schedule your x-ray appointments. You might need more if you have an ongoing condition or treatment. Children typically require more dental x-rays to monitor their oral development. It’s best to catch oral problems early enough when they are easier to correct.
Advantages of low Radiation digital x-rays
Initially, dentists used traditional x-rays to diagnose oral issues. The x-rays were developed on film and then put on a light screen for the dentist to view and evaluate the health of your teeth, jawbone, and more. Thanks to recent innovations in dentistry, there’s a safer and more efficient way to do this. Today, dentists use digital x-rays to evaluate your oral health. Wellesley Dental Arts offers low-radiation dental x-rays in Wellesley, MA.
Let’s look at the benefits of low-radiation digital x-rays in detail.
- Less radiation
One of the biggest advantages of digital x-rays is that the patient is exposed to very low amounts of radiation. Compared to traditional x-rays, digital x-rays produce about 80% less radiation. Pregnant women or those with thyroid issues don’t have to worry about extra radiation exposure. The technology is safer for the patient, dentist, and surrounding environment.
- Faster results
Unlike traditional x-rays, which take a few minutes to produce a clear image, digital x-rays display details of your teeth on your dentist’s screen immediately. The dentist will take x-rays and discuss the details immediately, saving time and making your appointments shorter.
- Precise results
Unlike traditional x-rays, which use films, digital x-rays work like a digital camera connected to a computer. The x-rays capture the image and transmit it to the screen instantly. They offer more clarity, better resolution, and highly detailed images. The dentist can move things and manipulate brightness, color, and certain image areas for a better view. It makes it easier for the dentist to explain the results and help you make a better treatment option.
- Better diagnosis
Low-radiation digital x-rays show even the tiniest details, some of which might not be visible with traditional x-rays. The dentist can see better information, ensuring they provide the most accurate diagnosis and treatment. The risk of misdiagnosis is significantly reduced, saving your time, preserving your oral health, and eliminating the need for costly invasive treatments in the future.
- Easier access
Since low-radiation x-rays transmit through a computer screen, they are easy to access, share, and store. The patient can have a copy of the results, which they can share with another dentist or specialist if necessary.
- Chemical free
With traditional dental x-rays, the dentist has to deal with messy chemicals, jammed processors, and lost films, which can be time-consuming and stressful. Low radiation x-rays work almost similarly to a digital camera, making them faster, chemical-free, and safer.
- Preserves your oral health
Without the x-rays, potential oral problems like oral cancer, jaw disorders, gum diseases, and infections will likely go longer without detection. Once vivid symptoms show, the condition will probably have advanced significantly, leading to long-term damage and the need for complex and expensive dental treatments.
Schedule an appointment today
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment? Or perhaps you’d like to learn more about low radiation digital x-ray benefits? Contact Wellesley Dental Arts today to book your appointment.