Digital Dental X-Rays
Helping you see and understand your dental health
Dental X-rays give Dr. Hannahan information that cannot always be seen during a visual examination alone. They can help identify decay between teeth, evaluate the bone supporting your teeth, examine the roots of teeth, and provide important information when diagnosing a dental concern.
Dental X-rays are recommended based on your individual needs rather than simply because a certain amount of time has passed. Your dental history, current examination, symptoms, previous X-rays, and risk for dental disease all help determine when new images may be helpful.
Why We Use Digital Dental X-Rays
Digital imaging provides detailed images that can be enlarged and adjusted on the screen to help Dr. Hannahan evaluate your teeth and supporting structures.
X-rays may be helpful in identifying or evaluating:
- Decay that may not be visible during a clinical examination
- Changes in the bone around the teeth
- Problems involving the roots of teeth
- Dental infections
- Cracked or damaged teeth
- Existing fillings, crowns, bridges, and implants
- Areas that need to be compared or monitored over time
Not every patient needs the same X-rays at the same intervals. Dr. Hannahan recommends imaging when it will provide useful information for diagnosis, treatment planning, or monitoring your oral health.
See What We See
One of the greatest advantages of digital dental X-rays is the ability to view your images immediately on a monitor in the treatment room.
Dr. Hannahan believes patients should understand the condition of their own teeth. She will review your X-rays with you, point out areas of concern, and explain what she is seeing and why it matters.
If treatment is recommended, your X-rays can help you better understand the reason for that recommendation. They can also help us document and monitor areas that may not require treatment right away.
Sometimes a tooth needs treatment. Sometimes it can be monitored. Either way, we want you to understand why.
Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays
Digital dental x-rays are extremely safe. They reduce the amount of radiation emitted during the process by as much as 80 percent. You receive more radiation by being outside on a sunny day than you do from digital dental x-rays, so there is no reason to worry.
The health benefits of getting routine dental x-rays far outweigh the risk. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about this process.
Because the images we capture are sent to our treatment room monitors, Dr. Hannahan can bring them up on the screen for immediate review. This is especially important when diagnosing emergency dental conditions. That way, you do not have to wait for an answer and we can work quickly to relieve any discomfort you are experiencing.
Digital images allow us to zoom in, adjust exposure, and modify the contrast of each image, so Dr. Hannahan always has the most accurate information about your oral health and can provide you with the best dental care possible.
Questions About Your X-Rays?
We welcome questions.
If you are wondering why an X-ray is being recommended, Dr. Hannahan is happy to explain what information we are looking for and how the image may help us evaluate your dental health.
Our goal is for you to be an informed participant in your care—not simply to be told what needs to be done.
Contact Us if It Is Time for Your Next Dental Exam
Give us a call and we will find a time that works for you. Our friendly and professional team looks forward to welcoming you to our dental office.
