Monitor Your Oral Health with Dental X-Rays in Philadelphia, PA

Dentists provide you with professional oral health care services. In many cases, dentists use X-rays to get an in-depth look at any issues with your teeth or jaw. Our Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence team performs dental x-rays in Philadelphia, PA, to guide your care. 

Please find out more about our use of x-rays by calling us at 215-352-5447.

When to Expect Dental X-Rays

In general, you don’t get dental x-rays in Philadelphia, PA, at every visit to the dentist. Most patients receive x-rays:

• The first time they visit a new dental office 
• If they’re experiencing a dental emergency 
• Once a year to monitor their oral health 

Additionally, our team often suggests dental x-rays before setting up an oral surgery procedure or if you plan to have a root canal. Dr. Christine Han – who owns the Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence – also recommends x-rays as part of an orthodontic consultation. 

These radiographic images allow Dr. Han to see through bone and around the tissue. As a result, they provide information Dr. Han cannot get through a visual or physical assessment of your mouth. 

Dental X-Rays and Your Physical Safety

All x-rays include some radiation exposure. However, we use cutting-edge dental technology and appropriate safety measures to limit your exposure to potential dangers. As a result, our digital x-ray technology provides you with increased safety.

Advances in x-ray technology also allow us to produce more transparent images of your teeth and jaw. Our team uses these high-definition images to make informed decisions about your oral care options during a dental exam. 

Steps in Taking Dental X-Rays

Do you feel unsure what to expect from dental x-rays in Philadelphia, PA? Allow us to walk you through each step of the process to increase your comfort with the procedure. Our technicians will:

• Place a lead vest on your body for protection 
• Ask you to open your mouth to insert a small device against your teeth
• Aim the x-ray device at your teeth 
• Take an image with the x-ray device 

The images from the device show up immediately, so you don’t have to wait in our office for them to develop. This allows Dr. Han to provide a prompt assessment of your oral health. 

The entire x-ray process often takes only a few moments. After we finish taking the x-rays, we’ll remove the device from your mouth and take off the lead vest. Feel free to contact us if you have additional questions about this process. 

Issues Detected by Dental X-Rays

Dentists use x-rays to detect several possible dental problems. Our team uses x-rays to identify:

• Cysts and abscesses 
• Tooth decay 
• Impacted teeth 
• Bone loss 
• Tissue loss 
• Tumors (cancerous and non-cancerous)

If we see signs of these issues, we create a treatment plan to address the problem before it worsens. We also use dental x-rays as a diagnostic tool for patients that come to us with oral health concerns.

For example, perhaps you have a significant amount of pain in your jaw but do not know the cause. We may take a series of dental x-rays, allowing us to assess all possible causes of the pain. For example, the x-rays could reveal a cracked tooth, evidence of a cavity, or issues related to your wisdom teeth.

Based on our knowledge from dental x-rays, we begin treatment to address your unique needs. 

Types of Dental X-Rays

We utilize several types of dental x-rays. In many cases, we take a complete mouth series for new patients. These x-rays give us a comprehensive look at every part of your mouth and jaw. Dental experts recommend re-taking these x-rays every three to five years. 

Members of our team also take bitewing x-rays. These x-rays provide less extensive information about your teeth, both on the top and bottom of your jaw. We generally update these x-rays once a year, allowing us to track the progress of any new oral health issues. 

You can discuss the specifics of dental x-rays in more detail when you reach out to a member of our team. 

Let Us Take Dental X-Rays in Philadelphia

Want to learn more about dental x-rays in Philadelphia, PA? Our Pennsylvania Center for Dental Excellence team can answer your questions and help you set up an appointment. Contact us today by calling 215-352-5447 and protect your oral health.