Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Digital Dental X-Rays

Yes! Today's digital x-rays are very safe and emit 80 percent less radiation than film x-rays we used in the past. You might actually receive more radiation from spending a day outside in the sun. 

Not only are they safer, but digital x-rays are integral in helping your dentist in Winston-Salem protect your oral health and well-being because they provide an internal look at problems the naked eye may miss. 

Dr. Nelson recommends that we take bite-wing x-rays once per year. These x-rays provide a baseline of your teeth's health and help him identify common issues like tooth decay early on. When we detect tooth decay or gum disease as early as possible, we can often treat the concerns with less invasive and less costly treatment procedures. 

Panoramic and 3-D X-Rays

A panoramic x-ray provides a complete view of your teeth, jawbone, and sinuses. We typically recommend updating this x-ray every five years unless it's needed for oral surgery or orthodontic treatment. 

3-D images are ideal for helping Dr. Nelson diagnose and plan for implant dentistry. When we can plan a surgery ahead of time, it allows the procedure to go smoothly on the day of surgery. 

If you have questions or concerns about dental x-rays, contact your dentist's office in Winston-Salem for more information. 

Dental x-rays are essential to find dental decay, examine gum health, and find potential issues at their earliest stages

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.

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.

Our office’s x-ray promise: 

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.

Please visit our page on digital x-rays to learn more!

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 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.

Less than a bunch of bananas: 

Eating 50 bananas is equivalent to one digital dental x-ray.

Less than a chest x-ray: 

A medical chest x-ray is equivalent to 100 digital dental x-rays.

Less than a mammogram: 

A mammogram is equivalent to 800 dental x-rays.

Less than a medical CT scan: 

A full-body medical CT scan is equivalent to 6,000 digital dental x-rays.

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.  

Digital dental X-rays are faster, more clear, and have less radiation than traditional dental X-rays.

Faster appointments: 

The digital x-rays are immediately available on the computer which saves time developing x-rays.

More comfortable:

Modern sensors are smaller and easier to use.

Higher resolution:

Our digital sensors are the top-of-the-line and have the best resolution available in the market. This allows Drs. Benton and Nelson to accurately diagnose any dental issue so that it is treated as early as possible. If a dental problem is detected early, then it is more likely to be treated by a faster, cheaper, and more comfortable treatment. An example would be finding a cavity early and fixing it with a filling instead of a root canal.

Patient engagement: 

Because the X-rays can be shown at full size on a computer monitor, Dr. Nelson can educate and engage you about your dental health

Less radiation:

Digital X-rays require less than half the radiation exposure that traditional dental X-rays use.