Digital Dental X-Rays in Brentwood, MO
Top Dentists in Brentwood, MO
Some areas of your mouth simply cannot be fully evaluated by looking at your teeth alone. Digital dental X-rays give our dentists additional information when it is needed to better understand what is happening beneath or between the visible surfaces of your teeth.
At Brentwood Family Dentistry, we use digital radiography as part of our diagnostic process when X-rays are appropriate for your individual needs.
Why Might I Need Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays can reveal information that may not be visible during a regular dental examination.
Depending on your symptoms, dental history, and what your dentist sees during your exam, X-rays may help us evaluate:
- Tooth decay that is difficult to see visually
- The roots of your teeth and surrounding structures
- Bone supporting your teeth
- Areas associated with pain, sensitivity, or other symptoms
- Existing dental work
- Changes that need to be monitored over time
X-rays are one part of the diagnostic process. Your dentist will also consider your dental and medical history, symptoms, clinical examination, and other relevant findings before making treatment recommendations.
Do I Need X-Rays at Every Dental Visit?
Not necessarily.
Dental X-rays should be based on your individual needs rather than taken automatically according to the same schedule for every patient.
Your dentist may consider factors such as your current oral health, history of tooth decay or dental treatment, age, symptoms, risk for dental disease, previous X-rays, and findings from your examination.
If new imaging is not necessary, there may be no reason to repeat it.
New patients are also encouraged to provide recent X-rays from their previous dental office when available. Reviewing existing images can give our dentists useful information as they determine whether any additional X-rays are needed.
What Type of Dental X-Rays Does Brentwood Family Dentistry Use?
Our practice uses digital radiography rather than conventional film-based dental X-rays.
Digital images are available almost immediately and can be viewed at a larger size on a computer monitor. This allows our dentists to closely evaluate the image and makes it easier to show you what we are seeing when discussing your oral health.
Digital images can also be stored with your dental records, making it possible to refer back to earlier X-rays when monitoring changes over time.
Are Digital Dental X-Rays Safe?
Dental X-rays use a small amount of ionizing radiation, which is why they should be taken when the diagnostic information is useful for your care.
Digital radiography can reduce radiation exposure compared with conventional film-based dental imaging while still providing the detailed images our dentists need for diagnosis.
At Brentwood Family Dentistry, the decision to take X-rays is based on your individual situation. If imaging is recommended and you have questions about why it is needed, we are happy to explain what we are looking for and how the image may help guide your care.
How Do X-Rays Fit Into a Dental Exam?
Digital X-rays do not replace a hands-on dental examination.
During your dental exam and cleaning, our team evaluates your teeth, gums, and surrounding tissues for visible signs of dental problems. When an area cannot be fully evaluated visually or we need additional diagnostic information, X-rays may provide another piece of the picture.
For certain areas of possible tooth decay, Brentwood Family Dentistry may also use DIAGNOdent, which is designed to aid in cavity detection.
Each tool provides different information. Your dentist considers the findings together rather than relying on a single test when deciding what, if anything, should happen next.
Questions About Dental X-Rays?
We want you to understand the care we recommend, including why diagnostic imaging may or may not be necessary.
If you are experiencing a dental concern, are due for an exam, or have questions about digital dental X-rays, call Brentwood Family Dentistry at 314-961-3221 or contact us to schedule an appointment.
