x-ray Archives - Reedley Family Dental

Digital X-Rays in Reedley, CA

Our natural environment exposes us to all kinds of radiation. Digital x-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation compared to older methods. Not only are digital x-rays faster and better for your health, they are also more comfortable. For our new patients, we generally recommend a full mouth series and bitewing x-rays. These are a good reference for 3-5 years and are usually taken after your check-up and cleaning.

5 reasons for taking X-Rays:

To look for decay in between teeth
To check for the bone loss associated with gum disease
To check for decay under older fillings
To see if there are signs of infection at the very bottom of the tooth root
To examine a problem area before it is treated with a procedure

If you are looking for digital X-rays in Reedley, CA, Reedley Family Dental uses dental imaging to help evaluate teeth, roots, jawbone, and surrounding structures as part of a comprehensive dental examination. Digital X-rays can provide detailed images that help the dental team identify areas that may not be visible during a routine visual examination.

Dental X-rays may be useful when evaluating tooth decay, infections, bone changes, impacted teeth, and other dental concerns. They can also support treatment planning for procedures such as dental implants and orthodontic care such as Invisalign.

Digital imaging may also be used when evaluating a tooth that needs restorative treatment. Depending on your individual needs, your dentist may recommend additional treatment such as dental crowns to restore a damaged or weakened tooth.

Your dentist will determine which type of dental imaging is appropriate based on your oral health, symptoms, and treatment needs.

Panorex X-Ray in Reedley, CA

Panoramic dental x-ray uses a very small dose of ionizing radiation to capture the entire mouth in one image. It is commonly performed by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and may be used to plan treatment for dentures, braces, extractions, and implants.

This exam requires little to no special preparation. Tell your doctor if there is a possibility you are pregnant. Remove any jewelry, eyeglasses or metal objects that might interfere with the x-ray images. You will be asked to wear a lead apron to protect the rest of your body from any radiation exposure.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

A panoramic x-ray is a commonly performed examination by dentists and oral surgeons in everyday practice and is an important diagnostic tool. It covers a wider area than a conventional intraoral x-ray and, as a result, provides valuable information about the maxillary sinuses, tooth positioning, and other bone abnormalities. This examination is also used to plan treatment for full and partial dentures, braces, extractions, and implants.

A panoramic x-ray can also reveal dental and medical problems such as:

advanced periodontal disease
cysts in the jaw bones
jaw tumors and oral cancer
impacted teeth including wisdom teeth
jaw disorders (also known as temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders)
sinusitis

What are the benefits vs. risks?

Benefits

No radiation remains in a patient’s body after an x-ray examination.
X-rays usually have no side effects in the typical diagnostic range for this exam.
Panoramic x-rays can be used for very young children since the film does not have to be placed inside the mouth.

Risks

Women should always inform their dentist or oral surgeon if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.

If you are looking for a Panorex X-ray in Reedley, CA, panoramic dental imaging can provide a broad view of the teeth, upper and lower jaws, and surrounding oral structures in a single image. This type of dental imaging can give your dentist additional information that may not be available from a standard visual examination alone.

A Panorex X-ray may be useful when evaluating developing or impacted teeth, jaw structures, tooth positioning, and other dental concerns. Panoramic imaging can also be helpful when planning certain treatments, including dental implants and orthodontic care such as traditional braces.

For patients who need a more detailed evaluation of a particular area, your dentist may recommend other forms of dental imaging, such as digital X-rays. The appropriate type of imaging will depend on your symptoms, oral health, and individual treatment needs.