Digital X-rays
In addition to our regular check-up x-rays, Simcoe Family Dentistry uses the panoramic x-ray, which some clinics don’t have, as a diagnostic tool for keeping your smile healthy and beautiful. Located in Barrie, we also serve patients from Innisfil, Collingwood, Muskoka and Orillia offering routine procedures such as digital dental oral x-rays services.
What Is A Digital X-Ray?
Digital x-rays, also called digital radiology, use x-ray technology to take an image using sensors or plates which are placed inside the mouth. Dental clinics use this diagnostic equipment to check your oral health for things like gum disease, cavities, infection, decay, abnormal growths and to determine the causes of tooth pain. In the event of a dental emergency when you are experiencing severe pain, a digital x-ray or tooth x-ray services may be taken to give a diagnosis.
Panoramic X-Rays
This type of dental oral x-rays services gives a full jaw view including the lower and upper jaws, the jaw joint, the teeth and everything around them. Not all offices have this, and it is useful for checking bone levels, jaw joint health and growth and developmental issues such as wisdom teeth eruption or crowded teeth which may need a referral to an orthodontist.
Benefits of Digital X-Rays
Decreased Radiation
There are several benefits to digital radiology compared to other dental oral x-rays services. The most obvious and beneficial of this type of tooth x-ray services is the decrease in radiation experienced by the patient. With digital x-rays radiation is decreased up to 90%, which is especially important for children who are more vulnerable to radiation than adults. Our dental clinic provides lead aprons with a thyroid collar for your protection.
Clearer Images and Faster Access
Another benefit of digital x-rays is better image quality and a faster result. Dentists are able to get a clearer image, allowing them to detect the problem more quickly and accurately. This is especially useful for detecting small cavities which might otherwise go unnoticed and allows your dentist to implement fast treatment before they get larger.
Ease of Use
With the digital format x-rays are available faster, which is vital during dental emergencies, and can be easily shared online and stored without the risk of losing them. It is also easier for a dentist to explain and point out the dental problems detected while performing dental oral x-rays services to the patient, giving them a better understanding of their oral health and allowing them to make more informed decisions regarding their specific treatment options.
Benefits Vs. Risks
As with any tooth x-ray services, digital radiology still exposes a patient to radiation even though the amount is greatly reduced. Digital x-ray images are continued to be routinely taken because the wealth of information that can be obtained is worth the small amount of exposure. Radiation is dangerous when cumulative, therefore teeth x-rays services for kids are taken on a case-by-case basis and frequency specific to the patient’s needs. The benefit of being able to diagnose dental diseases including cavities in the early stages outweighs the small risk associated with the low dose of radiation received during the x-ray procedure.
Same-day dental emergency services.