One of the most important tools we use for diagnosing and preventing problems with your oral health is dental x-rays. Because so many problems start beneath the surface of your teeth and gums, x-rays are the only way we can view a detailed image of what’s happening with your teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissues.
With X-rays, we can easily see cavities in their earliest stages as well as identify bone loss that wouldn’t be seen with a visual exam. This information allows us to treat dental conditions before they become serious and require more complex treatment.
However, many patients today have understandable concerns about radiation exposure during X-rays. At the office of Dr. Michael Ryan, DDS, and Collin Ryan, DMD, your safety and comfort are our priorities. We have invested in state-of-the-art digital x-rays that help us accurately diagnose conditions and minimize your radiation exposure by as much as 90 percent.
How We Use Digital X-Rays at our Sarasota Dental Office
Digital X-ray flat electronic sensors are used in place of traditional x-ray film. The image is sent immediately to our secure computer network. We can view the images together on a chairside monitor so we can point out the problem and explain why treatment is necessary. We want you to fully understand your dental care, which makes it easier for you to understand why treatment might be necessary.
Using digital x-rays, we can:
- Monitor your oral health
- Find cavities and infections
- Check the health of bone around your teeth
- Examine your tooth roots
For patients with a history of dental conditions, we usually recommend bitewing x-rays that show upper and lower back teeth once a year. Otherwise, we take a full set of routine x-rays every five years – again, depending on your needs.
Digital Panoramic X-Rays
We have also invested in a panoramic X-ray unit for our Sarasota, FL dental office. These X-rays are taken outside your mouth, so they are quick and comfortable. An assistant will position you in front of the X-ray unit, and a camera will move in a semi-circle around your head and take pictures of your entire mouth in one easy step.
This image shows us your entire mouth including all your teeth and the structures that support them to give us a detailed view of your overall health. For adults and children who cannot tolerate intraoral (inside the mouth) x-rays, panoramic x-rays are especially beneficial
Benefits of Digital X-Rays
In addition to being very safe, digital x-rays have other benefits:
- We can easily store the images in your patient record for quick access for reviewing your history or tracking certain conditions.
- Since the images are electronic they can be sent to specialists and insurance companies when necessary.
- No chemicals are needed to process digital images, so they are safer for the environment than film x-rays.
Please Call Us to Arrange an Appointment in Siesta Key, FL
If you haven’t visited a modern dental office recently, you may be pleasantly surprised at how updated technology like digital x-rays can streamline your visits. We would love to welcome you to our Sarasota dental office, so please call us for an appointment!
Frequently Asked Questions
Your safety is one of our priorities, so we never take unnecessary x-rays. However, the radiation to which you’re exposed with a set of four bitewing x-rays is about equivalent to that of a short flight.
Even so, technology has kept up with the demand for lower dose radiation. Now we use safe, efficient, digital x-rays that reduce your exposure even further – some estimates say by as much as 80%.