We want to provide our patients with the best possible dental care. To that end, we will perform a visual examination of your mouth.
A visual exam, however, does not tell us everything we need to know about your oral health. Often when dental issues start, they start small. X-rays are an essential diagnostic tool that enables us to see areas of your mouth that are not visible to the naked eye during a routine examination.
With dental x-rays, we can see the tiniest bit of decay on your tooth before it can be seen in an examination. An x-ray allows us to see the extent of the decay below the surface of the tooth.
X-rays also enable us to see the roots of your teeth as well as the jawbone below.
How often do I need x-rays?
For most patients, we take dental x-rays once every year as part of your oral healthcare routine. Since we use digital radiographs, patients can rest assured that x-rays are safe, with negligible exposure to radiation. Dental x-rays are safe for all ages.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, however, please let us know so we can discuss whether it makes sense to take x-rays at that particular time.
