Digital X-Rays in New York, NY
Digital X-rays give your dentist a detailed view of teeth, roots and bone, helping find cavities and other problems early that a visual exam alone can miss.
About Digital X-Rays at Rock Dental
X-Rays are used to examine the inside of your teeth. We are hoping to be able to catch any problems that we can’t see with the naked eye! Using radiology, we are able to see which teeth are developing cavities. We may also see some teeth or gum areas that may require some extra work.
Why X-Rays Show What an Exam Cannot
A lot of dental problems start where nobody can see them. Decay often begins between teeth or beneath an existing filling. Infections form at the tip of a root, and bone loss from gum disease happens below the gumline. By the time these cause pain, they have usually been developing for a while. X-rays let your dentist find them earlier, when treatment is generally simpler and more of your natural tooth can be kept.
Digital X-rays use an electronic sensor in place of film. The image is sent straight to a computer, where it can be enlarged, brightened and compared with earlier images to track changes over time. Digital imaging generally needs less radiation than traditional film, and there is no waiting for film to be developed. Your dentist can also show you the image on a screen, so you can see what is being described.
What to Expect When X-Rays Are Taken
Taking X-rays adds only a few minutes to a visit. A small sensor is placed inside your mouth and you bite down gently to hold it steady. The team member positions the X-ray unit, steps back and takes the image, and you stay still for a moment. This is repeated for each area being checked. The sensor can feel a little bulky, so say so if you have a strong gag reflex or a tender spot.
The images appear on screen almost immediately, and your dentist will typically review them with you during your visit. There is no recovery or aftercare, and you can go straight back to your day. How often you need X-rays depends on your age, your dental history and your risk of decay or gum disease. Your dentist will recommend them only when the information is useful for your care. If you are or may be pregnant, tell our team.
Common Questions
Are dental X-rays safe?
How often do I need dental X-rays?
What can X-rays show that an exam can't?
Do dental X-rays hurt?
Can I get dental X-rays if I'm pregnant?
Terms You May Hear
- Digital sensor
- A small electronic plate placed in the mouth that captures an X-ray image in place of film.
- Bitewing
- An X-ray that shows the upper and lower back teeth together, often used to check for decay between teeth.
- Periapical X-ray
- An image that shows a whole tooth from the crown to the tip of the root and the bone around it.
Related Services
Intraoral Camera
An intraoral camera is a small handheld camera that shows close-up images of your teeth and gums on a screen, so you can see what your dentist sees.
Cleanings and Exams
A routine dental cleaning and exam removes plaque and tartar and checks your teeth and gums, helping adults catch small problems before they grow.
Fillings
A tooth-colored composite filling repairs a tooth damaged by decay or a small crack, restoring its shape and function for anyone with a cavity.
Root Canals
A root canal removes infected or inflamed pulp from inside a tooth, relieving pain and allowing adults to keep a natural tooth that might otherwise be lost.
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