General Dentistry
Dental X-Rays & Digital Imaging in Stockton, CA
Dental X-ray images are an indispensable part of a regular examination. They find decay, bone loss and developing problems long before they become visible or painful.
Some people have concerns about the effects of radiation. Advanced technology has considerably limited the amount of exposure involved in dental X-rays, and the precautions we take reduce it further.
How we keep exposure low
Three safeguards work together. First, the X-ray components are shielded so exposure is limited to just the amount necessary to image your jaw and teeth. Second, your vital organs are covered with a lead protector as a further precaution. Third, typical exposure in a dental office is far less than the radiation involved in other medical imaging, or even the natural background dose everyone receives simply by living on Earth.
It would take thousands of dental X-rays in a single year before a patient might notice any ill effects, and we do not plan on giving any patient that many. A dentist only recommends the images necessary for your oral health and safety.
What X-rays reveal
Imaging lets us determine whether you are experiencing any of the following:
- Unseen decay between teeth
- Early bone loss due to periodontitis or other causes
- Tumors, cysts or abscesses
- Developmental problems
- Impacted or misaligned teeth
The types of images we take
Bitewing X-rays. Dental associations recommend annual bitewing images at a minimum, so called because you bite on the device used to create the picture. These show the condition of your crowns and the height of the bone between teeth.
Periapical X-rays. A periapical image captures a single tooth. This is typically taken when a patient reports a toothache, so that one tooth can be examined specifically.
Full-set X-rays. A full set of the entire mouth is suggested every three to five years, giving a complete view of every tooth in relation to the bone and its neighbors.
Panoramic X-rays. A panoramic image, called a Panorex, is taken without placing anything in the mouth. Both jaws appear together in a single picture. This is generally used when treating impacted teeth or investigating suspected problems below the gum line.
i-CAT® 3D imaging. Three-dimensional scanning used for detailed treatment planning, particularly where dental implants or bone grafting are being considered.
The diagnostic and preventive benefits are well worth the use of this time-tested medical tool. Imaging is part of a routine exam and cleaning, book yours here.
Choosing the right image for the question
Different images answer different questions, which is why we do not simply take the same set at every visit.
Routine monitoring
Bitewings are the workhorse. They show the crowns of the upper and lower teeth together and the height of bone between them, which makes them the fastest way to spot decay starting between teeth and early bone loss.
Investigating a specific complaint
When you report pain in one tooth, a periapical image of that tooth answers the question directly. Where the problem may sit below the gum line or involve impacted teeth, a panoramic image shows both jaws in a single view.
Planning treatment
Dental implants and bone grafting need more than a flat image can give. i-CAT 3D scanning shows bone volume and the position of nerves in three dimensions, so placement is planned before anything is done rather than discovered during it.
Imaging is included as part of a routine examination. If you have questions about what we are taking and why, ask, Dr. Van Sicklen would rather explain it than have you agree to something you do not understand. Coverage for imaging varies by plan; see patient information or call (209) 951-3436.
Questions patients ask
- Are dental X-rays safe?
- Modern dental imaging uses a very small dose. The equipment is shielded so exposure is limited to the area being imaged, your vital organs are covered with a lead protector, and the resulting dose is far below that of other medical imaging. It would take thousands of dental X-rays in one year before a patient might notice any ill effects.
- How often do I need dental X-rays?
- It depends on your history rather than a fixed schedule. Dental associations recommend bitewing images annually at a minimum, and a full set every three to five years. A dentist only recommends the images necessary for your oral health and safety.
- Can I decline X-rays?
- You can, and we will explain what we would be working without. Decay between teeth, early bone loss, abscesses and impacted teeth are frequently invisible during a visual examination, so declining imaging means some problems are found later and larger.
- Do you use digital X-rays?
- Yes. We use digital radiography alongside panoramic imaging and i-CAT 3D scanning for detailed treatment planning.
Ready to get started?
Much of your first visit is spent explaining your individual treatment and getting to know you, so you can make a decision you feel good about.