Digital X-Rays
Digital X-Rays – 99% Less Radiation
At ABC Kids Dental Group, we understand that an integral part of pre-assessment for all dental procedure is having a dental x-ray taken. This allows our dentists to reliably diagnose cavities. By providing digital x-rays, we offer our patients all the benefits of a dental x-ray, but without the massive amount of radiation that is usually associated with it.
What Are the Benefits of Digital X-Rays?
Our dentists use the latest technology to diagnose cavities. In the past, with the use of film x-rays tooth decay and periodontal bone loss was harder to detect. In comparison, todays digital x-rays are so sensitive that they can reveal these conditions, allowing our dentists to assess and diagnose them. Because the x-rays are digital, they can be viewed much clearer in larger formats and can be accessed easily, decreasing the waiting time. The best part of digital x-rays is not only that they give our dentists a great amount of insight into a patient’s oral structure, in high-resolution, but that they do not expose children to high levels of radiation in the process. With digital x-rays, there is a staggering 99% decrease in radiation reading compared to their original counterparts.
How Are X-Rays Taken on Little Children?
Younger children are placed in their parent’s lap, while older children can sit by themselves on the chair in the x-ray unit. Although the digital x-rays have a lot less scatter radiation, everyone in the x-ray room is protected using lead aprons. We also use smaller, softer x-rays to make the process easier for little ones to get their x-rays taken. All the child needs to do is bite on a bite stick that has the x-ray on it and hold still for a couple of seconds. The parent or our licensed x-ray technicians can also help by holding the bite stick in place.
What If A Child Is Too Uncooperative to Have X-Rays Taken?
Sometimes the dental exam can be done using only visual observation for younger patients or special needs children. If our dentists feel that treatment is necessary, further x-rays can be taken at that time, when the child is sedated. Usually, the use of oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) can put the child at ease and make the process of taking x-rays a lot more pleasant.
Why Can’t My Child’s Dentist Simply Look at The Teeth to Find Cavities? Why Does He Need Dental X-Rays?
While visual inspection with an explorer (dental tool) can identify surface decay, taking an x-ray is the only way to detect inter-proximal cavities, or cavities in between the teeth. Also, an x-ray can tell our dentists how much of the decay has spread within the tooth and if the tooth needs a root canal or a simple filling. Fortunately, at ABC Kids Dental Group we make use of digital x-rays so that we can make the most accurate diagnosis possible.
Call us at 833-i-ABC-Kid (833-522-2543) or visit one of our offices today in Pacoima, Sun Valley or Granada Hills.
