Digital X-rays in Midland, MI

Digital x-rays, also known as digital radiographs, are done as part of your annual dental exam to give us a better picture of your teeth and gums. Digital x-rays make it easier for cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Edward Knight to diagnose issues that aren't easily visible, and to understand more about the health of your teeth, jaw, and gums. There are numerous dental and oral conditions that can be seen on x-rays, including tooth decay, cavities, abscesses, cysts, bone loss, and impactions. If these conditions are discovered early, they may have more effective and less invasive treatment options. Digital x-rays provide an important visual aid that could be missed by the eye. As part of your dental exam at Knight Dental Care in Midland, MI, digital x-rays will help Dr. Knight diagnose and treat dental conditions.

Digital x-rays are typically performed at your annual dental exam as part of your preventive dental treatment plan or can be administered if you are concerned about pain in your mouth. Though digital x-rays use less radiation compared to traditional film x-rays, Knight Dental Care tries to minimize each patient's exposure. Although digital x-rays are usually safe for all patients, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to Dr. Knight at the start of their dental exam so special precautions can be taken to ensure their safety.

Often performed at the beginning of your dental exam, digital x-rays take around 5 – 10 minutes to complete. You will have x-rays performed on all sections of your mouth. In this brief examination, Dr. Knight will look for early signs of tooth decay, cavities, bone loss, and more. After your digital x-rays are complete, we will upload them to our digital system so Dr. Knight can review and discuss the results with you. He can assess if there are any abnormalities and go over any necessary treatment options. 

What is a digital x-ray used to perform?

Digital x-rays work the same as traditional x-ray imaging in that they take a picture of your teeth, jaws, and soft tissue to identify dental problems like cavities, bone loss, abscesses, and more. They still use x-rays, but the sensors are attached to a computer rather than film. These allow Dr. Knight to get clearer and more accurate imaging of your teeth and mouth.

Why are digital X-rays better?

The main benefit of digital x-rays is that they expose staff and patients to as much as 80 - 90% less radiation than traditional x-rays. Digital x-rays don’t require developing, meaning any use of toxic chemicals and less waste. They can also be viewed on a computer screen and saved digitally for future reference.

Are digital X-rays safe?

Because you are exposed to 80 - 90% less radiation than a traditional X-ray, this means they are generally considered safer (even though the risk from traditional X-rays is still very minimal).

How long do digital x-rays take?

Having a digital x-ray done at Knight Dental Care in Midland, MI only takes between 5 - 10 minutes to image all sections of your mouth.

Digital imaging is a useful tool that can help diagnose developing health issues early on. As a step in a regular dental exam, digital x-rays can give cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Edward Knight a unique understanding of your mouth and allow him to diagnose developing conditions to be treated before they become painful or major issues. For improved dental health, or questions about financing and insurance, contact our office in Midland, MI.