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Digital Dental X-Rays

Periodic dental x-rays allow our dentist to see below the surfaces of your teeth. Decay can hide underneath your enamel or just below the gumline, making it impossible to detect with just a visual dental exam.

Dental x-rays are an essential part of preventive dentistry. We will recommend them periodically to rule out any problems.

We Use an Ultra-Safe Digital Dental X-Ray System

Digital x-rays allow our dentists to accurately and efficiently diagnose dental conditions. When performed regularly, dental x-rays can allow us to make an earlier diagnosis that could prevent more serious dental conditions in the future.

What Makes Digital Dental X-Rays Different?

By implementing the use of digital dental x-rays in our office, we obtain the highest resolution digital images available. This allows our dentist to gain a more accurate analysis of the condition of your teeth as well as your periodontal and bone health.

By taking a proactive approach to your dental care, we are able to prevent many common dental conditions that lead to root canal treatment, painful emergencies, and even tooth loss.

How Digital X-Rays Work

We will place a small digital sensor in your mouth adjacent to the tooth or teeth we wish to capture. Our team will activate the x-ray machine, and in just a second or two, we will have a picture of the target area.

We will move the digital sensor around to each section of your mouth to obtain images of each tooth.

Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays

Digital dental x-rays are extremely safe. They reduce the amount of radiation emitted during the process by as much as 80 percent. You receive more radiation by being outside on a sunny day than you do from digital dental x-rays, so there is no reason to worry.

The health benefits of getting routine dental x-rays far outweigh the risk. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this process.

Because the images we capture are sent to our treatment room monitors, our dentist can bring them up on the screen for immediate review. This is especially important when diagnosing emergency dental conditions. That way, you do not have to wait for an answer and we can work quickly to relieve any discomfort you are experiencing.

Digital images allow us to zoom in, adjust exposure, and modify the contrast of each image, so our dentist always has the most accurate information about your oral health and can provide you with the best dental care possible.

Contact Us if It Is Time for Your Next Dental Exam

Give us a call and we will find a time that works for you. Our friendly and professional team looks forward to welcoming you to our dental office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dental x-rays safe?

Many of our health-conscious patients are curious about the necessity of dental x-rays because they are concerned about radiation exposure. We understand, and we are here to help you make the best choices for your smile.

Digital dental x-rays are extremely safe and reduce radiation emission by up to 80 percent over traditional dental x-rays. That may mean little to you at first, but it may help to know that dental x-rays have always emitted considerably less radiation than nearly all other types of medical x-rays.

Radiation is all around us, and you actually have more radiation exposure by being outside on a clear day than you will have from your routine dental x-rays.

Not only are digital dental x-rays safe for you, but they are also better for our environment because they eliminate the need for chemicals required to develop film x-rays.

Digital dental x-rays are also superior because they are more convenient – we have an instant image that appears on our treatment room monitors for immediate evaluation by our dentist. We store these images securely in your digital chart and can access them quickly to monitor oral health changes that occur over time.

If you ever have questions about why we recommend periodic dental x-rays, or if you need them at your next dental exam, contact us. Our knowledgeable team is available to help.

How often do I need dental x-rays?

As with all dental treatment, we personalize your dentistry to meet your health needs and will make recommendations designed to keep you healthy and comfortable. According to the ADA, for most patients, yearly x-rays are enough to evaluate your teeth, bone, and gums and identify any conditions that put your oral health at risk.

If you suffer from gum disease (periodontal disease) or you have a history of losing teeth, we may recommend x-rays more frequently. Conversely, if you do not have significant dentistry or a history of tooth decay, we may be able to schedule x-rays every two years if you remain healthy.

Here are some of the different types of x-rays commonly offered:

Bitewing x-rays – checks for dental decay (yearly)
Full mouth x-rays – examines the tooth structure from crown to root and assesses bone levels (every 3 to 5 years)
Periapical x-rays – typically used for restorative dentistry or emergency dental appointments when an image of the whole tooth structure is needed (as needed)
Panoramic x-rays – takes a comprehensive image of all of your teeth at once and includes your jaw joints, bone, and dental anatomy (every 3 to 5 years)

Every patient is different, and the timelines listed above are a generalization based on averages. We will adjust your x-ray recall schedule to ensure you always have up-to-date information regarding your oral health.

How necessary are dental x-rays?

While our dentists can diagnose many conditions with a visual exam, we cannot always see what is happening beneath your protective tooth enamel or below your gumline. Digital dental x-rays make this possible and allow us to make an earlier diagnosis, potentially saving you time and money and allowing us to treat conditions before they become critical – or painful.

By offering digital dental x-rays, we have significantly improved the safety of the care we provide. Digital dental x-rays emit up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays and give us instant access to high-resolution images for proper diagnosis of conditions such as bone loss, decay, and infection.

The cost of dental x-rays is low compared to complex restorative dentistry, making them a good investment in your oral health and the appearance of your smile. Without them, we would only have part of the story when it comes to your health, and the rest would be left to chance.

If you have questions about the necessity, safety, or process of digital dental x-rays, we encourage you to call or ask at your next appointment. We are dedicated to providing quality dentistry that supports a healthy, comfortable smile, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. John Reamer

Spokane native Dr. John Reamer graduated from Mead High School and earned his BS in zoology at Washington State University. He left the state to earn his DDS at Indiana University, but quickly came back to join his uncle at Reamer Family Dentistry. To provide a greater variety of advanced dentistry for our patients, Dr. Reamer has completed comprehensive training in implant placement and CEREC same-day crowns.

“I love building long-term relationships with my patients as well as the combination of art and science that dentistry affords.”

During his time off, Dr. ...

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