A Burlington Tradition Of Trusted & Caring Dentistry
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New patients are always welcome. Walk-ins and same day treatments available.
Digital X-Rays :
Digital radiographs, commonly known as x-rays, are a vital diagnostic &
assessment tool for dentists. We offer modern digital x-rays at our practice, both for your
convenience & for efficiency of treatment.
In the past, dental x-rays were captured using a film process similar to an analog photograph.
With the advent of digital imaging, computerized radiography has become the dental industry
standard. Digital x-rays require up to 90% less radiation than conventional film-type x-rays,
which were already fairly low risk to begin with. Instead of using the traditional silver-oxide
x-ray film, which must be developed & then fixed in caustic & environmentally damaging
solutions, the new system takes pictures via a small electronic sensor.
What Is A Digital
X-Ray? :
X-rays, also known as radiographs, have long been part of preventive care in dentistry.
X-rays
are a form of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to human eyes. When scientists
first
discovered evidence of these electromagnetic rays, they weren’t sure what they were, so they
called them x-rays, & the name stuck.
X-rays can pass through the soft tissues of the face & mouth (lips, cheeks, etc.) but are
absorbed by the hard material of teeth & bone. This allows the dentist to see potential oral
health issues that may not be easily visible from the outside. X-rays are used primarily to
find
cavities, but dentists also use them to look at tooth roots, to evaluate the health of the
bone
surrounding the tooth, to assess possible periodontal (gum) disease problems, to analyze
tooth &
jaw positioning & to keep track of development in younger patients.
Type of Dental
Digital X-Rays :
While there are several types of dental x-rays (including periapical & full-mouth), the most
common kind of dental x-rays are called bite-wing x-rays, based on the wing shape of the films
that were once used. These x-rays are done while you’re in the dental chair & capture an image
of several teeth at a time, roots included. A dental team member will place a sensor in a
certain part of your mouth & ask you to bite down while they aim a tube-shaped device at your
face. This is the x-ray emitter, which sends the x-rays through your tissues & onto the sensor
in your mouth. No light or heat will come from the emitter. There is usually no discomfort
associated with getting dental x-rays.
The Advantage of
Modern Digital X-Rays :
One other big advantage of modern digital x-rays over the old film type is the lack of a lag
time between taking the x-rays & being able to examine them. The x-ray picture of the tooth can
be instantaneously transmitted onto a monitor in the treatment room so we can see your teeth &
surrounding structures while you're still in the chair. The immediacy of digital x-rays allows
the dentist to assess the health of your teeth & identify potential problems right away. The
dentist can easily point out potential trouble spots to you, allowing you to see & understand
your oral health condition as the dentist explains it. The digital files are also easy to share
with any other dental professionals who might be involved in your care in the future.
We serve Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown, and surrounding areas.