Digital X-ray

X-rays are an important diagnostic tool for every dentist, but they are especially important for our pediatric dentistry experts. That’s because when it comes to your child’s smile, what we can see on the surface isn’t enough.

X-rays allow us to see:

• Below the surface of baby teeth to see how permanent teeth are developing and preparing to erupt
• Identify bone or dental disease
• Diagnose any orthodontic issues
• Evaluate oral injuries
• Identify causes of swelling or inflammation

X-rays provide us with a thorough image of what is happening in your child’s mouth so that we can ensure your child’s healthiest smile. X-rays can help us locate tiny cavities and even cavities in between the teeth that may be undetected by a physical exam. X-rays can also reveal important information on the growth and eruption pattern of your child’s permanent teeth, allowing us to spot and diagnose any orthodontic issues that may be visible. We can also diagnose any issues, such as bone disease, and identify any other issues that could be present, such as abscesses, cysts, or other problems.

At Westgrove Dental the health and safety of our patients is our number one concern. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends taking X-rays at each six month check-up. However, for children with a low risk of decay, we may only need to take X-rays once a year.

Dental X-rays are completely safe and the digital X-rays we utilize in our office expose our patients to 80-90% less radiation than previous types of X-rays. We take every safety precaution to protect your child during X-rays.

What are X-rays needed for?

X-rays are a crucial component to your child’s dental care because they help us envision your child’s entire smile, including what is below the surface. We can detect decay and spot issues early so that we can treat them before they become a bigger problem.

Are X-rays really needed for pediatric dentistry patients?

Yes, X-rays are very important for our younger patients because they can help us monitor the growth and eruption of permanent teeth, locate decay in between teeth, and identify issues before they become painful or create a bigger problem in your child’s mouth.

Are dental X-rays safe for my child?

Dental X-rays are completely safe. Today, we use digital X-rays, which expose your child to much less radiation than film X-rays. The level of radiation your child is exposed to during a routine dental X-ray in our office is significantly less than the amount of radiation he or she is naturally exposed to during the course of a regular day.

X-rays allow our pediatric dental experts to identify problems that may otherwise go undetected. That means we can treat these issues before they cause pain or other issues in your child’s mouth. Dental X-rays allow us to take the appropriate action to ensure your child’s healthiest smile.