Occasionally your dentist will want to take X-rays of your teeth. X-rays are a necessary part of your overall dental care providing valuable information to properly develop a treatment plan and maintain good dental health. The digital X-rays take only a few minutes and help your dentist identify tooth decay that may not be visible, shows the health of the roots and nerve tissue, and monitor and diagnose periodontal disease (bone loss around the teeth). In children, adolescents, and young adults, images are critical to monitor proper growth and development of the teeth. This will help us evaluate the need and timing of orthodontics/braces and wisdom teeth removal.
American Dental Association guidelines recommend annual bitewing x-rays and a full mouth series every 5 years. Bitewing radiographs allow the dentist or hygienist to detect dental decay in-between the teeth and monitor bone levels around the teeth. A full mouth series is complete set of images that captures the entire dentition and surrounding supporting structures.
Digital X-rays are taken sitting upright in a chair. The technician will place a protective shield around your neck. The X-ray sensor will be placed in the mouth fascinated to a plastic bite plate to rest your teeth on. This will help align the teeth properly for the machine.
Barksdale Dental uses the latest digital x-ray technology. Digital x-rays use less radiation to produce high-quality images. The images are stored electronically allowing enhanced reading of the image and are easily exchanged with other dental specialists when needed.