Digital X-Rays

Digital x-rays show what an eye and a mirror cannot: decay between teeth, bone levels under the gum and infection at the root tips. They use a sensor instead of film, so the dose is lower and the image appears on the screen at once. At Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness in Laguna Hills, we take them based on your risk, not a fixed schedule. For most adults that means bitewings every one to two years.

Which x-rays might you need?

Three types cover almost everything. Bitewings show the crowns of the back teeth on both jaws in one image, which is where decay hides between teeth. Periapicals show one or two whole teeth including the root tips, and are used when a specific tooth hurts.

A panoramic image sweeps around the jaws in one pass. It is used for wisdom teeth, jaw assessment and a broad overview, but it is not detailed enough to find early decay. When depth matters, we use the cone beam scanner instead. Read about our digital equipment.

How often are they needed?

Frequency follows risk, not habit. Adults with no recent decay and healthy gums usually need bitewings every one to two years. Adults with new cavities, dry mouth, many existing fillings or active gum disease may need them every six to twelve months.

Children with cavity risk are checked more often, because decay moves quickly through thinner enamel. A full set is typically taken once, then updated every three to five years. We tell you why a particular image is needed before we take it, and you can decline any image and discuss the tradeoff with us.

What do x-rays show that an exam cannot?

Roughly a third of cavities are invisible without an x-ray. The contact point between two back teeth cannot be seen or probed. Decay starts there and works inward, and by the time it shows on the chewing surface it is often close to the nerve.

X-rays also show bone height around each tooth, which is how gum disease is tracked. They show dark areas at root tips that indicate an infected nerve, the position of unerupted teeth, cysts, and failing margins under old crowns. They also show what is healthy, which is worth knowing.

How much radiation is involved?

A digital sensor needs a fraction of the dose that film needed, commonly cited as 50 to 80 percent less. Four bitewings deliver a dose in the range of one or two days of ordinary background radiation. Flying across the country exposes you to a comparable amount.

That does not make dose irrelevant. We use a rectangular collimator to narrow the beam to the size of the sensor, take only the images that change decisions, and keep older images so we are not repeating work. Bring records from your previous dentist and we may not need new ones.

What about pregnancy and shielding?

Routine x-rays are usually postponed during pregnancy, and urgent ones are taken when a diagnosis cannot wait. The beam is aimed at your jaw, and scatter to the abdomen from a dental image is extremely small. Delay is caution, not a sign of real danger.

A lead apron with a thyroid collar is available at any visit and we will place one whenever you ask. Current guidance from radiology bodies says a well collimated digital image makes the apron largely unnecessary, but your comfort decides. Tell us if you are or may be pregnant or are nursing.

What do digital x-rays cost?

X-rays are quoted in writing, itemized, after an examination, and they are listed separately from the exam. A new patient visit normally includes the images needed to diagnose, and we tell you which ones before we take them.

We are in network with most major PPO plans and Delta Dental HMO. Most plans cover bitewings at a set frequency and a full set less often, and we check your limits before the appointment. Third party financing is available and the practice is not the creditor. Our membership plan includes preventive visits for people without insurance, and you can also review financing.

Questions people ask about digital X-Rays

Do I need x-rays if nothing hurts?

Usually yes, because most decay causes no pain until it reaches the nerve. Between the back teeth there is no way to see or feel it. Catching a cavity at the enamel stage often means a small filling, or fluoride and monitoring. Catching it when it hurts often means a root canal and a crown, which is a different cost entirely.

Can I refuse x-rays?

You can, and we will record that. We will also tell you plainly what we cannot diagnose without them, which is decay between teeth, bone levels and infection at root tips. Some conditions cannot be treated responsibly without imaging, and in those cases we may decline to proceed rather than guess. Bring recent images from another office if you have them.

How recent do my old x-rays need to be?

Bitewings within the last twelve months are usually adequate for a new patient exam at low risk. A full set within three to five years is often reusable. Ask your previous office to send the digital files rather than printouts, because the original files can be adjusted for contrast. We will tell you what else is needed after reviewing them.

Are digital x-rays safer than film?

The dose is lower, commonly 50 to 80 percent less than traditional film for the same image. Images also appear on the screen at once, so retakes from processing errors are rare, and we can enlarge and adjust contrast rather than take another picture. The chemicals used for film processing are eliminated as well.

Can x-rays be taken if I have a strong gag reflex?

Yes, with adjustments. Smaller sensors, careful positioning and breathing through the nose help most people. A panoramic image needs nothing in the mouth at all and can substitute in some situations. Nitrous oxide settles the reflex for many people and wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home afterward.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. What is right for you can only be decided after an examination.