Digital X-rays: How this benefits you:

For the first time in the 100-year history of dental X-rays (radiography), an extraordinary new technology surpasses the diagnostic abilities of traditional film-and it does so with substantially less radiation exposure to you--and us.

This system has truly amazing diagnostic tools making the image quality simply unmatched.

Lockheed Martin, the aerospace manufacturer of the Magellan Venus Spacecraft and the Hubble Telescope designed the digital X-ray sensor that is the heart of this technology. The sensor is very special as it has a uniquely shaped design for your optimum comfort. No more sharp edges like the old film had. This allows for increased positioning accuracy.

This system allows for the ability to instantly produce the very best possible diagnosis. And,
less radiation: that's right, by up to 90% less.

X-rays

When we feel it is necessary we will advise you to have x-rays.

We take three basic kinds of X-rays:

1.   Close-up X-rays to check for decay between your teeth and to give the detailed view of individual teeth and their surrounding bone.

2.   Full Jaw X-rays that show the whole of your upper and lower jaws on one film - not so detailed as the close-up films.

3.   TMJ views--show the position of your jaw joint structures relative to one another.

We, like most people are concerned about the dose of x-rays that we all receive, so we will only recommend x-rays when we feel they are absolutely needed.
         

Panorex Machine:
             This is the kind that circles around your head to give an image of your jaws and oral structures. It images the sinuses and nasal cavities as well. This provides vital information.

Some years ago it was discovered that if the angulation of the X-ray was altered ever so slightly, calcifications in the carotid arteries could be imaged.

What does this have to do with dentistry?

Well, we have been using this modified technique ever since. One day a new patient came into the office for a "check-up".   This gentleman, we'll call him Joe, didn't want "all those X-rays". Joe said he felt fine and had no problems...he just wanted a "cleaning". Well, sure enough the X-ray showed those calcifications in these vital arteries. The referral was made to the proper medical specialist and Joe's health was restored before any major problem occurred. Maybe, just maybe, a stroke was prevented or worse, death. Just routine X-rays...we think not. We take what we do very seriously. Your health is first and foremost at our office.

Anyway, the radiation is minimal if the proper protocol is followed and the benefits, immeasurable.