Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Ray machine at River Run Family Dentistry

X-rays are an important aspect of the medical world. They show both doctors and patients what is going on in their bodies and it allows for accurate treatment if something is not right. This is not the only area where x rays are highly beneficial, however.

In the dental world, x rays are also used for this very purpose. There are a lot of things we can determine when viewing an x-ray such as if you have cavities or an impacted wisdom tooth. At River Run Family Dentistry we take all the steps to ensure we can effectively take care of your oral health.

There are two popular ways to take X-ray photos. One is film radiography and the other is digital radiography. We will be focusing on the latter and discussing how this newer form of x-ray photography benefits both you and dental care in general.

What Is Digital Radiography?

As mentioned above, digital radiography is a newer method of taking x-ray images. It is easy to akin it to taking pictures with your smartphone while film radiography is like taking a photo on an analog camera. And like the analog camera, film radiography has been around for many years and it is still used to this day. But dentist offices all over the country have gone digital, including us.

Digital radiography is an incredibly efficient way to take x-ray photos. As soon as the picture is taken, it is immediately available to be viewed – unlike conventional machines. It also emits 70% less radiation than film x-ray machines. Granted, these older machines are safe for patients who are getting pictures taken once or twice a year with the exception of women who are pregnant – but it is worth mentioning since it is one of the biggest key points.

In addition to this, we are able to spot things easier since the images appear larger, and when it comes to x-rays, we need to be able to view even the tiniest of details to ensure proper action is taken. 

What It is Like to Have A Digital X-Ray Photo Taken

A common x-ray procedure is what is known as a bitewing. We will have you bite down on a piece of paper while the picture is being taken. This is used to quickly check for cavities – now made even quicker with digital radiography equipment. This is usually done before we begin examining the inside of your mouth–allowing us to proceed appropriately if we find something wrong. 

We may also do a panoramic photo procedure; this is commonly used for detecting wisdom teeth and how they are growing out. It is important for us to get to take care of impacted wisdom teeth to avoid it from causing problems to your molars and other teeth. If you suspect that you might have wisdom teeth growing out, let us know before/during your appointment so that we can take a look at it. 

We are here to help with your oral health at River Run Family Dentistry. Our team wants to make you feel at home with us during your visit and we would love to have you come by for an appointment. Simply call 830-387-3040 if you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with us.