Digital X-Rays, also known as digital radiography, is a modern dentistry technique used for capturing detailed images of your teeth, gums, and other oral structures. This technology uses an electronic sensor instead of traditional photographic film, reducing the amount of radiation patients are exposed to during the process.

We use dental X-rays to:

• Find cavities in your teeth
• Look at the tooth roots to ensure they are healthy
• Check the bone health of areas around your teeth
• Look at developing teeth
• Compare changes in your teeth
• Whether we take dental X-rays at your cleaning appointment often depends on your oral health.

Some people may need X-rays more frequently than others, including:

Children and teens – We take X-rays more frequently if children have a history of many cavities or are at a high risk of decay. We also use X-rays to track tooth development.

Adults with many fillings, crowns, and other restorations – X-rays can help Dr. Murphy find cavities that may be lurking beneath your fillings or crowns or in places that are hard to see because of restorations.

People with periodontal disease – X-rays can reveal signs of bone loss that put you in danger of losing your teeth.

People with dry mouth – Saliva helps keep your mouth healthy by regulating the pH levels. If your mouth is dry, the pH decreases, which causes the minerals in your teeth to break down and leads to more cavities.

Smokers – Smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease, which increases the risk of bone loss around the teeth

Digital X-Rays are safer than traditional X-Rays as they significantly reduce the exposure to radiation. They also offer various benefits over traditional methods. For instance, the images can be enhanced and enlarged on the computer, making it easier for the dentist to detect problems. The digital format also allows for easy storage and sharing of images, which can be beneficial for tracking your dental history or consulting with specialists.