General Dentistry

Dental X-Rays

Dental X-rays are necessary for evaluating your dental health. Perhaps you're searching for a safer and more comfortable dental X-ray experience.

Dental X-Rays

Why Are Dental X-Rays Necessary?

Dental X-rays provide valuable information that is not visible during a regular dental examination. They allow dentists to detect issues such as cavities between teeth, bone loss, impacted teeth, infections, and abnormalities in the jawbone or surrounding structures. This early detection enables timely intervention, preventing more serious dental problems and ensuring you receive optimal oral health care.

These X-rays are usually done during an initial consultation to provide a comprehensive view of your oral health. With the results, dentists are able to diagnose problems early and plan effective treatments.

Benefits of a Dental X-Ray

A dental X-ray provides detailed images of your teeth, bones, and surrounding tissues. These results allows the dentist to do a thorough assessment of your dental health which include:

  • Identifying cavities or dental caries
  • Finding decay under fillings or between your teeth
  • Checking how your teeth are positioned and growing
  • Detecting jaw fractures or tumours
  • Assessing the health of your jawbone and jaw joints to figure out if implants, braces, or dentures are needed
  • Diagnosing infections or abscesses in your teeth
  • Planning for braces or other orthodontic treatments
  • Making sure dental implants are in the right place

By checking through these areas of your dental health using a dental X-ray, dentists can start a treatment plan that is unique to your dental needs.

At Smile Place Dental, our dentists are experienced in providing effective and safe dental X-ray services as part of your first dental consultation or whenever necessary.

Dental X-Rays

How Do Dental X-Rays Work?

Dental X-ray technology takes advantage of the natural density contrasts within the mouth and jaw. For instance, denser jawbones, teeth, crowns and fillings show up as light areas. Whereas the less-dense soft tissues that surround them, show up as darker areas. Cavities easily appear on X-rays because they are less dense than the teeth that they affect.

Although dental X-rays use radiation to achieve light-dark contrasts, they are not dangerous when used occasionally. During a typical X-ray session, a patient receives about as much radiation exposure as he or she would on a five-hour flight.

Today, digital dental X-rays are a safer and more efficient method, requiring up to 80% less radiation than traditional X-rays and providing a clearer image result. We get our patients to wear protective gear such as lead shields and collars to further reduce these exposure levels.

The process is quick, typically taking only a few minutes, and the images can be viewed immediately on a computer screen. This not only speeds up the diagnostic process but also allows for better communication between the dentist and patient, as the images can be easily shared and explained.

What to Expect During a Dental X-Ray

  • Preparation
    You’ll be asked to wear protective gear to shield other parts of your body from radiation. The dental assistant will position a small sensor or film inside your mouth, which you’ll bite down on to hold in place.
  • Image Capture
    The X-ray machine will emit a small burst of radiation, which penetrates through your teeth and gums to create images of your mouth. You’ll need to hold still for a few seconds while the X-ray is taken.
  • Review
    The images captured will be instantly displayed on a computer screen for the dentist to review. They’ll use these images to assess your dental health and discuss any findings or treatment recommendations with you.

Dental X-Rays

Frequently asked questions

While we’ve answered a few frequently asked questions below, every smile is unique. If you’d like tailored advice or have something specific in mind, we invite you to book a complimentary consultation. We’ll take the time to understand your needs and guide you with care and expertise.

Phoebe Le
Dental Therapist

Phoebe Le

Phoebe is also dedicated to enhancing children’s oral health and wellbeing, having worked in public dental programs for school-aged children.

Dr Atousa Moradi
Dentist

Dr Atousa Moradi

Dr Atousa Moradi continues to stay committed and up to date within dentistry, to always provide excellent dental care and comfort to patients of all ages.

Dr Chandrakala Vairavan
Dentist

Dr Chandrakala Vairavan

Chandra is one of our highly skilled and experienced dentist who provides the highest quality of dental care to patients of all age.

Mariam Khaleqi
Hygienist

Mariam Khaleqi

Mariam’s main focus and interest is the prevention and management of gum disease and maintaining overall good oral health.

Dr Tom Brookes
Dentist

Dr Tom Brookes

Dr Thomas Brookes is passionate about all areas of dentistry, particularly preventative and restorative.

Dr Joanna Wang
Dentist

Dr Joanna Wang

Joanna enjoys taking the time to know and understand her patients concerns, ideas and requests as she creates a treatment plan.