"Your service, as usual, was efficient, friendly and exceptionally professional."
Sumner R., Nashua
Dental X-Rays
What are dental x-rays?
Dental radiographs (x-rays) are a diagnostic tool that provides valuable information about areas in your mouth that are not visible to the eye during a regular dental exam. Your dentist and dental hygienist use this information to safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities in your mouth. Without x-rays, information about your oral health is incomplete and problem areas may go unnoticed.
Why are dental x-rays so important?
Dental x-rays may reveal the following:
- Abscesses or cysts
- Bone loss
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors
- Decay between the teeth
- Developmental abnormalities
- Poor tooth and root positions
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line
Detecting and treating dental problems at an early stage can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort, and your teeth!
Our dental panoramic x-ray has also shown previously undiagnosed calcifications in the carotid arteries as well as other problems not associated with the mouth.
Are dental x-rays safe?
Dental x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full mouth series of x-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources. We take additional precautions to limit your exposure to radiation when taking dental x-rays, including using lead apron shields to protect your body and neck
What are digital x-rays?
At New Hampshire Center for Comprehensive Dentistry we use digital radiography (digital x-ray) - the latest technology used to take dental x-rays. This technique uses an electronic sensor (instead of x-ray film) that captures and stores the digital image on a computer in your electronic chart. This image can be instantly viewed and enlarged helping your dentist and dental hygienist detect problems easier. It also makes it easier for you to see exactly what your dentist is seeing.
What are some advantages to digital x-rays?
- Less Radiation --- Digital x-rays use up to 80-90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays.
- "Greener" Technology --- No hazardous caustic chemicals are needed for film development.
- Better Results — The low radiation digital x-ray technology we use provides results as accurate as conventional x-rays and reveals things that film x-rays simply can't. The digital image can be manipulated, magnified 300x its normal size, color enhanced and more to aid in diagnosis.
- Faster X-rays — Your images appear instantaneously on the computer monitor allowing you and your dentist to immediately review any problem.
- Easy to Share --- It's easy to collaborate with other dental offices by using an electronic transfer of images.
How often do I need to have dental x-rays taken?
Dental x-rays are always benefical if you have a particular complaint or problem and for that you'll have one or two images taken of your area of concern.
For our new patients, a "full mouth series" allows you and your dentist to get a baseline understanding of the health of your gums and teeth. It's an important part of your comprehensive care.
A schedule for "routine" x-rays is based on the review of your medical and dental history, dental exam, signs and symptoms, age consideration, and your risk for tooth decay or gum disease. Taken over time, a series of x-rays are a valuable indicator of your progression of oral health or disease.