Digital Dental Xrays in Winston-Salem

We offer only the lowest possible dose for our patients. Our modern Winston-Salem office utilizes digital x-rays to make your experience safer, faster, more efficient, and to ensure the lowest possible doses for you and your family.

Digital dental x-rays compared to other sources of radiation

Less than old “film” dental x-rays: Digital x-rays have 50% less radiation than traditional film-based x-rays.

Less than a cross-country flight: A flight from Los Angeles to New York City has 40 times the radiation exposure than a single digital dental x-ray.

Less than living a day on the earth: a single day of background radiation from living on the Earth is the equivalent of 2 digital dental x-rays.

Our X-rays have less radiation than eating 50 bananas.  A medical chest x-ray is equivalent to 100 digital dental x-rays, a mammogram is equivalent to 800 dental x-rays, and a full-body medical CT scan is equivalent to 6,000 digital dental x-rays.  

We will only recommend what is appropriate and absolutely necessary. Our office will only recommend the X-rays that are appropriate and absolutely necessary. For patients who rarely have dental issues, we will take less frequent x-rays than normal. Just like other medical screening procedures, patients have different risks and that is reflected in the x-rays that we prescribe.

Why do dentists take dental x-rays?

Dental Decay

To look for dental decay in between teeth that cannot be seen by looking in the mouth until the decay is very large.

Gum and Bone Health

To visualize the health of the bone that surrounds the tooth and to detect harmful bone loss caused by gum disease.

Nerve Issues 

To detect problems with the nerve of your tooth that could become very painful if untreated

To Find Problems at the Earliest Stage  

To find dental decay in its early stages. When dental decay or cavities are discovered sooner, more conservative treatment can be performed which dramatically reduces the time and cost of treatment.

There are several types of dental x-rays that the dentist may recommend in order to appropriately assess your mouth.  Different dental X-rays look for different dental issues such as between-teeth cavities, tooth roots, jaws, and sinuses.  

• Bitewing X-Rays: Look for cavities between the teeth or where the teeth are touching

• Periapical X-Rays: Visualize the entire root of a single tooth
• Panoramic X-rays: Capture the entire lower third of the face to assess all teeth, jaws, and sinuses
• CBCT X-rays: Have multiple uses including panoramic X-rays, 3-D X-rays, and extra oral bitewing X-rays.  

New Cone Beam Computed Tomography Technology at our Winston-Salem Office 

Our office has installed a new digital Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) system.  This machine will be able to take digital X-rays with a 70% reduced radiation exposure level when compared to conventional film radiographs. 

What type of X-rays can a CBCT take? 

A CBCT X-ray can take panoramic radiographs, 3-D radiographs, and extra-oral bitewings radiographs.  

Panoramic Radiographs

• Panoramic radiographs are x-ray images of the entire lower third of the face.  In this X-ray, the dentist is able to see all of the teeth (including the wisdom teeth), the upper and lower jaw, and the sinuses.  In children, the panoramic radiograph can visualize the permanent teeth that are developing beneath the baby teeth.  
• Why would I need a panoramic radiograph? 
  • Panoramic radiographs are recommended every 3-5 years to evaluate the jaws, sinuses, and tooth roots.  In children and adolescents, the panoramic radiograph is used to evaluate the growth and development of permanent teeth and wisdom teeth. 

3-D Radiographs

• 3-dimensional radiographs assess the entire anatomy of a focused area by taking a 3-D image.  In a 3-D radiograph, we can visualize the full anatomy of the tooth and surrounding bone.
• Why would I need a 3-D radiograph?
  • 3-D radiographs are only recommended when the dentist need to closely examine a specific area, such as a dental implant or root canal site.

Extra-oral bitewings

• Bitewings are the traditional X-rays that the dentist takes to look for cavities forming between the teeth.  These X-rays require placing a digital sensor in the mouth and can sometimes cause gagging.  Extra-oral bitewings are taken by having the patient bite on a small straw with the front teeth and are very comfortable.
• Why would I need extra-oral bitewings?
  • Extra-oral bitewings are a great replacement for traditional bitewings in patients with severe gag reflexes or when the roots of the teeth need to be assessed.  

Smallest sensor possible: Our experienced dental assistants and dental hygienists will always use the smallest X-ray equipment possible, so there is very little in your mouth.

Calming nitrous oxide (laughing gas): For patients with a severe gag reflex, nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” will help eliminate nervousness and help make the process of taking X-rays more comfortable. 

Can I afford dental x-rays?

Your dental insurance should cover your x-rays. Most dental insurances cover the types of dental x-rays we take in our office. If for some reason an x-ray is not covered by your insurance, we will let you know before taking it. 

Our office accepts and files all dental insurance policies. Our office provides excellent care at an affordable price. We accept and file all dental insurance policies and will fight on your behalf so that you receive the maximum benefit.

Financial plans are available. We offer financing plans that allow you to fit your needs into your budget.

Discounts for patients without dental insurance (cash pay). We also offer discounts to patients without dental insurance or for those who prefer to pay in cash.