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Dental X-rays provide a convenient and noninvasive way to identify oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and bone loss. At Smile By the Station Dentistry in Seattle, Washington, cosmetic and family dentist Ok Kyu Lee, DDS, and the team offer intraoral and extraoral dental X-rays to people of all ages. Call Smile By the Station Dentistry today to schedule a dental X-ray appointment, or book your visit online.
Dental X-Rays Q&A
Are there different types of dental X-rays?
The Smile By the Station Dentistry team offers several types of dental X-rays, including:
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewing X-rays are the most common type of dental imaging. They help your dentist identify cavities between your teeth and problems beneath your gum line.
Bitewing X-rays don’t show the roots of your teeth. So, if your dentist suspects you need a root canal, they order a different type of imaging instead.
Panoramic X-rays
Panoramic X-rays provide detailed images of your entire mouth, including your upper and lower teeth, jaw joints, nerves, sinuses, and bones. These X-rays help your dentist identify common oral health problems, including cavities, inflamed tooth pulp, and gum disease.
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)
CBCT X-rays provide three-dimensional images of your entire mouth. They provide detailed insights into your oral health and play a crucial role in the placement of certain restorations, like dental implants.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays are safe and well-tolerated. They emit low amounts of radiation, but it’s no more than the radiation released by common electronics like smartphones and TVs.
Your Smile by the Station Dentistry provider places a led apron over your torso and pelvic region before taking dental X-rays. The apron ensures your safety by protecting your internal organs from radiation exposure.
Let the team know if you’re pregnant or nursing. Even though dental X-rays are safe, the team may recommend avoiding X-rays until after you give birth or finish nursing.
How often should I get dental X-rays?
The Smile By the Station Dentistry team recommends getting dental X-rays once every 6-18 months.
If you have several cavities or a history of gum disease, more frequent X-rays might be necessary. Imaging helps monitor disease progression and allows your dentist to see if specific treatments are working.
When will I get the results of my dental X-rays?
Dental X-rays are all digital, so there’s no need to send them to an outside lab for development. Your X-ray images are uploaded immediately to a computer.
Your Smile By the Station Dentistry provider reviews them right away, explains the results, and provides in-depth information about treatment options.
Call Smile By the Station Dentistry today to schedule dental X-rays for yourself or your child, or book your appointment online.