It’s almost unimaginable to find a dental office today that doesn’t use radiographs, or x-rays, and for good reason they are an essential tool for providing the best care. We rely on this technology to see what’s happening beneath the surface, allowing us to diagnose issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye and monitor your oral development over time.
Since their introduction to dentistry, x-ray technology has made tremendous advances, and at our practice, we use contemporary digital dental x-rays to help our patients in the Alliston, ON area enjoy the healthiest smiles possible.
When a problem with your teeth or gums isn’t visible on the surface, it can be a real challenge to diagnose. In the past, dentists often had to rely on a patient’s symptoms or even cut through gum tissue just to see what was going on. Fortunately, modern technology has provided us with a much more advanced, non-invasive way to get a clear picture of what’s happening.
The science behind x-rays is fascinating. In the late 1800s, a physicist named Wilhelm Röntgen discovered that a certain type of radiation could pass through soft tissues but would be blocked by dense materials like bones and teeth. This created a “shadow,” which he was able to capture to create the first images of hard tissues. Since the radiation was still a mystery, he simply named it “x-rays.”
Within a short time, the medical community realized the incredible potential of this discovery. Doctors began using x-rays to plan surgeries, and dentists soon followed, taking the very first dental x-rays in the U.S. in 1896.
Since the 1950s, dental x-rays have become a routine part of preventive care, helping us find problems long before they cause you pain or serious damage. We can use them to detect issues in their earliest stages, when they are most treatable. While traditional film x-rays expose patients to very low levels of radiation, we understand that any amount of radiation can be a concern, especially since dental x-rays are taken so close to the brain.
This is why we’ve made the switch to modern digital dental x-rays. This advanced technology significantly reduces your exposure to radiation by as much as 90 percent!
It’s just one more way we are committed to your health and comfort.
We recommend getting intraoral x-rays on a regular basis, usually at least every two years. The exact schedule is always tailored to your specific oral health needs.
Getting a digital x-ray is a quick, comfortable, and simple process. A small electronic sensor is gently placed in your mouth to capture the images. The best part? The pictures appear instantly on a monitor right in the treatment room, so we can walk you through what we’re seeing right away.
The most common type of x-ray we take is a bitewing. They’re named this because you’ll gently bite down on a small wing-shaped device. Bitewings give us a detailed look at your back teeth, which helps us spot any hidden decay between them and monitor the overall health of your teeth and jaws. They are also incredibly helpful for keeping an eye on how a child’s teeth are developing.
Beyond routine check-ups, we may also need to take additional x-rays to get a clearer picture of a specific area. These images are essential for diagnosing issues such as:
Our goal is always to use the most effective tools to keep your smile healthy and beautiful.
While the cost of digital x-rays is similar to traditional ones, the real value lies in the long-term benefits for your health and budget. For instance, if tooth decay is missed, a simple, low-cost x-ray could have saved you from the much higher expense of a large filling or a dental crown. Think of it as a smart, preventive investment.
Beyond the cost savings, here are some more advantages we’re excited to offer you with this technology:
We’ve invested in this technology because we believe our patients’ well-being is worth it. We hope you’ll choose to experience this high level of care for yourself.
To avail the safest and quickest Digital Dental Xray service, visit us at Dominion Street Dental in Alliston, ON, please call us at 705-410-0961. We look forward to meeting you!
