Digital Dental X-Rays
About Digital Dental X-Rays
Digital dental x-rays are an essential tool in modern pediatric dentistry, offering better imaging with less radiation than traditional film, to protect and improve your child’s dental health.
Unlike traditional x-rays, digital x-rays use electronic sensors instead of film to capture dental images.
Digital x-ray technology provides quick and efficient results, ensuring a comfortable experience for young patients.
Key Takeaway
Digital dental x-rays are a safe and effective way to monitor your child’s oral health. They allow pediatric dentists to accurately diagnose and treat dental issues, resulting in better overall oral health for your child.
Different Types of Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays in a pediatric dental setting are performed with your child’s safety and comfort in mind.
They help detect oral health issues such as cavities, periodontal disease, bone loss, and other potential problems that may not be visible with the naked eye. They allow us to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each child’s needs.
Bitewing X-rays
In bitewing x-rays, your child bites down on a specialized piece of plastic, which captures detailed images of the upper and lower back teeth.
These x-rays identify cavities between teeth and monitor changes in bone density due to gum disease.
Periapical X-rays
Periapical x-rays capture images of the entire tooth, from the crown to the root.
These x-rays are crucial for diagnosing issues at the tooth root or surrounding bone structures, such as infections, fractures, or abscesses.
Occlusal X-rays
These x-rays capture images of the upper or lower jaw and are used to detect extra teeth, cysts, jaw fractures, and monitor tooth development.
Panoramic X-rays
Panoramic x-rays require your child to stand still while the machine rotates around their head, producing a single image of the entire mouth.
This type captures teeth, jaws, sinuses, and other facial structures, providing a comprehensive overview useful for planning treatments like braces or dental implants and is important in diagnosing missing or extra teeth, ectopic teeth or cysts.
| Type of X-ray | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Bitewing X-rays | Child bites on a piece of plastic for images of upper and lower back teeth | Identifies cavities between teeth and monitors bone density changes due to gum disease. |
| Periapical X-rays | Captures entire tooth from crown to root | Diagnoses issues at the tooth root or surrounding bone like infections or abscesses. |
| Occlusal X-rays | Sensor placed between the top and bottom front teeth to capture the entire crown/root of front baby teeth and developing adult teeth | Identifies cavities between the front teeth, checks root for fractures or infection. Also used to view developing adult front teeth to show missing or extra front teeth. |
| Panoramic X-rays | Machine rotates around the head to capture a full mouth image | Shows all teeth plus developing teeth as well as the jaw bones. Used to identify missing teeth, extra teeth, cysts or tumors, and eruption problems. |
Radiation Exposure and Safety
One common concern with x-rays is exposure to radiation.
However, digital x-rays significantly reduce radiation risk compared to conventional x-rays.In fact, digital x-rays emit up to 90% less radiation than traditional methods. Additionally, we take additional precautions such as using lead aprons and thyroid collars to further protect your child’s health.
| Feature | Digital X-Rays | Traditional X-Rays |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation Exposure | Emits up to 90% less radiation | Higher radiation exposure |
| Image Capture | Uses electronic sensors or phosphor plates | Uses film |
| Image Processing | Quick and efficient with immediate results | Longer processing time required |
| Image Quality | Provides enhanced and clearer images | Generally lower image resolution |
| Environmental Impact | More environmentally friendly due to lack of film chemicals | Uses film processing chemicals |
| Patient Comfort | Faster procedure with improved comfort for patients | Longer procedure period |
Oral Health Issues Detected on X-ray
When we perform a visual examination of your child’s mouth, we can see only what is visible to the naked eye.
We can see things like plaque buildup, cavities in certain areas of the mouth, and gum disease.
Digital x-rays allow us to see beyond the surface and identify issues that may not be visible, such as:
- Cavities: Tooth decay is a common oral health issue, and the most common chronic disease in children. Some cavities are easy to spot, but others, like those between teeth, require an x-ray to detect.
- Periodontal disease: Gum disease is a prevalent issue among adults, but can also happen in children. Digital x-rays allow us to detect bone loss caused by gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if not addressed promptly.
- Tooth eruption: X-rays can track the growth and development of your child’s teeth, helping us spot any potential issues that may require orthodontic treatment.
- Dental injuries: Digital x-rays can detect fractures or damage to teeth due to physical trauma. This allows us to provide prompt and appropriate treatment for a faster recovery.
- Infection: Abscesses and other infections in the mouth can be identified on digital x-rays, allowing us to address them before they become more severe.
Benefits of Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays offer many advantages for pediatric dental care, including:
- Reduced exposure to radiation: As mentioned, digital x-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional methods, making them safer for children.
- Faster results: Digital x-rays produce images instantly, eliminating the need to wait for film development. This results in quicker diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Better image quality: The electronic sensors used in digital x-rays produce high-quality images with better contrast and detail than traditional methods. This allows us to identify oral health issues earlier and provide more accurate treatments.
- Improved patient comfort: Digital x-rays require less time and manipulation compared to conventional x-rays, resulting in a more comfortable experience for young patients.
- Intraoffice sharing: Digital x-rays can be easily shared with other dentists or specialists as needed, improving communication and collaboration for your child’s dental care.
Incorporating digital x-rays into our pediatric dental practice allows us to provide the highest level of care while ensuring your child’s safety and comfort.
If you have any questions or concerns about the safety of digital x-rays, speak with us during your child’s next dental visit.
Did You Know…
Digital dental x-rays are a safe and effective way to monitor your child’s oral health. They allow pediatric dentists to accurately diagnose and treat dental issues, resulting in better overall oral health for your child.
Digital dental x-rays are an essential tool in modern pediatric dentistry.
They offer improved imaging, quicker results, and increased safety for our young patients.
Our experienced team is dedicated to providing quality and compassionate care for your child’s dental needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and give your child a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Overland Park, KS call (913) 345-0331 or complete the online inquiry form.
FAQS
Are digital x-rays safe for children?
Yes, digital x-rays are safe for children. Digital X-rays use up to 80-90% less radiation than traditional X-rays.
What is the difference between digital x-rays and normal x-rays?
Digital x-rays use electronic sensors or phosphor plates to capture images, while traditional x-rays use film. Digital x-rays also emit less radiation and produce higher quality images. This allows for quicker diagnosis and better treatment planning.
How many times is it safe to get digital x-rays?
This varies based on many factors. Children often need bitewing x-rays more frequently than adults because the enamel on baby teeth is much thinner than on adult teeth. Because of this, cavities can form and spread towards the nerve faster than in adults teeth.
Can I request a copy of my child’s digital x-rays?
Yes, you can request a copy of your child’s digital x-rays at any time. Our office keeps all patient records digitally for easy access and sharing with other healthcare providers as needed. Talk to our team if you would like to obtain a copy of your child’s dental x-rays.
