Dentist Arlington Heights

Girl smiling

X-rays, or radiographs, have long been used in dentistry. Traditional film x-rays are a safe and effective part of your dental care, but they do require a small amount of radiation. In our office, we utilize digital x-ray technology that provides the benefits of film imaging but uses up to 80% less radiation. With our advanced digital radiographs, we can view your teeth and surrounding structures with remarkable accuracy.

Unlike traditional x-rays, digital x-rays require no wait time for a film to develop. Instead, the images are available on the computer screen within seconds. These images can then be enhanced and enlarged for a more accurate diagnosis. Digital x-rays can be stored, printed, or even transmitted electronically to a specialist or laboratory if needed.

Intraoral x-rays create an image of the teeth, bone, and tissues inside the mouth. This image can be used for prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment planning, depending on the need. X-ray images can be used to identify or diagnose potential oral health issues that may not be fully visible to the naked eye. Some of these may include:

Tooth decay
Cracks or fractures
Impacted teeth
Tooth root infection
Bone loss
Cysts, tumors, or other abnormal growths

How often you need dental x-rays will change over your lifetime. Healthy adults may only need radiographs taken every 2-3 years. Children and teens often need more frequent imaging to monitor the growth and alignment of their teeth. However, there are several additional factors that can influence how often digital x-rays are recommended. Some of these include:

Multiple dental restorations
Periodontal disease
Dry mouth
Tobacco use
Orthodontics
Root canal therapy

Your safety is our primary concern. Before having a digital x-ray taken in our office, let us know if any of the following apply to you:

You have had a dental x-ray in another office within the past year
You are or may be pregnant
You have any questions or concerns about x-rays

For more information on how our digital x-rays benefit you, contact our office.