Digital X-Rays in San Tan Valley, AZ

X-Rays are used to examine the inside of your teeth. We are hoping to be able to catch any problems that we can't see with the naked eye! Using radiology, we are able to see which teeth are developing cavities. We may also see some teeth or gum areas that may require some extra work.

• Reveals decay between teeth and beneath fillings
• Shows infection at the root and changes in bone
• Images appear on screen immediately
• Taken only when there is a reason to take them
• Easy to show you exactly what we are seeing

The areas where decay most often begins are precisely the areas a visual examination cannot see: the surfaces where teeth touch each other, and underneath existing fillings and crowns. X-rays make those visible while the problem is still small. They also show what is happening below the gumline — infection at the tip of a root, cysts, bone loss from gum disease, and the position of unerupted teeth such as wisdom teeth. None of that produces visible signs in the mouth until it is well advanced, and some of it never causes pain until it is serious. Images appear on screen straight away, which means we can turn the monitor and show you what we are describing. Being able to see the problem yourself makes a treatment recommendation considerably easier to weigh up.

A small sensor is placed in your mouth and the image is captured in a moment. It appears on the screen immediately, so there is no waiting and no processing. X-rays are taken when there is a clinical reason to take them, not automatically at every visit. How often you need them depends on your risk of decay, your gum health and your history — a patient with no history of decay needs them far less often than someone with several recent fillings. Tell us if you are or might be pregnant, and we will discuss timing. If you have a strong gag reflex or find the sensor uncomfortable, say so — there are usually ways to make it easier, including different positioning.