Dental X-Rays
Digital X-Ray Services Offered in Graham, WA
At Frontier Family Dental, we understand the importance of comprehensive dental care, and dental x-rays play a crucial role in maintaining your oral health. These diagnostic tools allow us to see beneath the surface, identifying potential issues before they become serious problems.
By utilizing state-of-the-art technology, we ensure that you receive the highest quality care while minimizing exposure to radiation. Our team is committed to providing you with safe, effective, and personalized dental x-ray services to keep your smile healthy and bright.
Digital X-rays offer dentists advanced technology to view the internal structures of your mouth more comfortably and with less radiation than traditional imaging scans. At Frontier Family Dental in Graham, Washington, Seung Jae (David) Joung, DMD, invests in high-quality digital X-rays to provide patients with the safest, most accurate care available. Call the dental practice today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about digital X-rays.
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Understanding Dental X-Rays
Dental x-rays are an essential diagnostic tool in modern dentistry. They provide a detailed view of your teeth, bones, and surrounding soft tissues that isn’t visible during a regular dental examination. These images help dentists detect and treat dental problems early, potentially saving you time, money, and discomfort in the long run.
X-rays use low levels of radiation to capture images of your oral structures. The amount of radiation used is minimal, and the benefits of early detection far outweigh any potential risks. At Frontier Family Dental, we use advanced digital x-ray technology to further reduce radiation exposure while providing high-quality images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Our Dental X-Ray Services
At Frontier Family Dental, we offer a comprehensive range of dental x-ray services to meet your unique needs. Here’s an overview of the dental x-ray services we provide:
Our Dental X-Ray Process
At Frontier Family Dental, we’ve developed a comprehensive process to ensure you receive the most appropriate and effective dental x-ray services. Here’s what you can expect:
- Comprehensive Oral Evaluation
- X-Ray Type Selection
- Image Capture Procedure
- Review and Explanation
- Follow-Up and Monitoring
Comprehensive Oral Evaluation
Your journey begins with a thorough oral evaluation. We’ll discuss your dental history, any current concerns, and your overall health. This information helps us determine which type of x-rays are most appropriate for your needs. We’ll explain the process and address any questions or concerns you may have about dental x-rays.
X-Ray Type Selection
Based on the initial evaluation, we’ll select the most suitable x-ray imaging for your situation. We consider factors such as your age, dental history, risk of disease, and any signs and symptoms of oral health issues. Our goal is to provide you with the most comprehensive care while minimizing radiation exposure.
Image Capture Procedure
When it’s time for your x-rays, our trained technicians will guide you through the process step by step. We use the latest digital x-ray technology to ensure quick, comfortable, and low-radiation imaging. For panoramic or CBCT scans, you’ll be positioned carefully to capture the clearest possible images. The entire process is quick and painless, typically taking only a few minutes.
Review and Explanation
Once your x-rays are complete, your dentist will review the images and discuss the findings with you. We’ll explain what the x-rays show, pointing out any areas of interest or concern. We’ll answer any questions you may have and ensure you fully understand your oral health status. If any issues are detected, we’ll work with you to develop a treatment plan.
Follow-Up and Monitoring
Based on the x-ray results and your overall oral health, we’ll schedule your next check-up and discuss when you might need your next set of x-rays. We’ll also provide you with tips on maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent future dental issues.
Our team will continue to monitor your oral health over time, comparing new x-rays with previous ones to track any changes and ensure early detection of potential problems.
Why Choose Us for Dental X-Rays
At Frontier Family Dental, we’re not just about taking pictures of your teeth—we’re about uncovering the hidden story of your oral health. Our team combines cutting-edge digital x-ray technology with years of expertise to provide you with unparalleled diagnostic accuracy. We’ve invested in equipment that not only produces crystal-clear images but also significantly reduces radiation exposure, putting your safety first.
Our approach is tailored to your unique needs, ensuring you receive only the necessary x-rays for your specific situation. We don’t just capture images; we interpret them with precision, explaining our findings in clear, jargon-free language. Choose us for a dental x-ray experience that’s as comfortable as it is comprehensive, where your peace of mind is just as important as the health of your smile.
Illuminate Your Dental Health Today
It’s time to unveil the full picture of your oral health and take proactive steps towards a brighter, healthier smile.
Ready to see what’s really going on beneath the surface? Contact Frontier Family Dental to schedule your dental x-ray appointment and take the first step towards optimal oral health!
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FAQs About Dental X-Rays
What are digital x-rays?
A digital X-ray is a form of radiography that instantly displays images onto a computer. Similar to digital cameras, these X-rays can capture dozens of images in minutes. These devices use X-ray-sensitive plates that immediately capture each image and send it to your dentist’s computer, where it produces high-quality images.
How are digital X-rays different from traditional x-rays?
Traditional and digital X-rays use similar technology to produce images that allow your dentist to see underlying bones and tissues in your mouth. However, digital X-rays are safer, more cost-effective, and more efficient than their predecessor.
During a traditional X-ray, your dentist or dental hygienist places a large lead apron over your body and sharp pieces of film encased in plastic in your mouth. The apron often feels heavy and uncomfortable, while biting down on hard pieces of film can be painful for some.
Digital X-rays eliminate the discomfort of traditional imaging scans. The test is fast, noninvasive, and requires no preparation. You and your dentist can see the images immediately on an outside computer screen, rather than waiting to develop the film.
What are the uses for digital x-rays?
Digital X-rays can highlight areas of damage and decay, exposing the underlying bone and tissue for better diagnostics and treatment planning. A digital X-ray can help uncover:
- Bone recession
- Tooth decay
- Jaw and facial tumors
- Tooth alignment
- Fractures
- Structural abnormalities
Your dentist may use digital X-rays to monitor existing conditions or plan future treatments.
What can I expect from digital x-rays?
The process for digital X-rays is similar to that of their traditional counterparts. When you arrive, you sit in your dentist’s chair. Next, your dentist or dental hygienist places a small sensor (rather than plastic bitewings) in your mouth to capture images of your underlying tooth structures.
Most digital X-rays take images from 18 angles for a complete view of your upper and lower jawbone. The entire process takes only a few minutes, and processing the images takes seconds. Your dentist can modify the contrast, size, and brightness of the images to gather a clear picture of your dental health.
Unlike traditional X-rays, your dentist can store your images digitally. They can send these scans to specialists and refer back to them at a later date.
Call Frontier Family Dental today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about digital X-rays.
Are dental x-rays safe?
At Frontier Family Dental, your safety is our top priority. We use advanced digital x-ray technology that significantly reduces radiation exposure compared to traditional methods. The radiation dose from a dental x-ray is minimal – less than you’d receive from a day in the sun. We also use lead aprons and thyroid collars for added protection, ensuring you get the diagnostic benefits with minimal risk.
How many dental x-rays are safe in a month?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as the need for x-rays varies based on your individual oral health. At Frontier Family Dental, we follow the ALARA principle: As Low As Reasonably Achievable. We only recommend x-rays when necessary for diagnosis or treatment planning. For most patients, this means a full set of x-rays every 2-3 years, with bite-wing x-rays once or twice a year.
Can you get dental x-rays while pregnant?
We understand the concerns of expectant mothers. While dental x-rays are generally safe during pregnancy, we typically postpone routine x-rays until after delivery. However, if you have a dental emergency, the benefits of necessary x-rays outweigh the minimal risks. We always use extra precautions, including double lead aprons, to protect you and your baby.
How much radiation is in dental x-rays?
The radiation dose from dental x-rays is extremely low. Our digital x-ray system at Frontier Family Dental exposes you to about 0.005 millisieverts for a set of four bite-wing x-rays. To put this in perspective, you receive about 0.01 millisieverts of natural background radiation every day from your environment. Your safety is our priority, which is why we invest in the latest low-radiation technology.
How to read dental x-rays?
Reading dental x-rays is a skill that requires professional training, but we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge. On our x-rays, teeth appear bright white, while cavities show up as darker spots within the tooth structure. Gums and soft tissues appear as darker gray areas. At Frontier Family Dental, we always take the time to show you your x-rays and explain what we see, ensuring you understand your oral health status.
