Digital x rays
Seeing what the eye cannot
More than half of what matters in your mouth is invisible from the surface. Decay loves to start between
teeth where no mirror can see it. Infections form at the tips of roots, deep in the bone. Wisdom teeth make
their plans well before they announce themselves. X-rays are how we find all of it while it is still small, and
often while it is still painless.
Skipping X-rays to save a few dollars is one of the most expensive decisions a dental patient can make,
because it trades a small known cost today for a large surprise later. We only take images when there is a real
diagnostic reason, and when we do, they routinely pay for themselves many times over in problems caught
early.
Digital x rays
Why digital beats the old way
If your memory of dental X-rays involves biting on stiff film and waiting while someone disappeared into a
darkroom, you are in for a pleasant update. Our sensors are comfortable, the images appear on screen within
seconds, and the radiation dose is a small fraction of what film required. For perspective, a set of digital
dental X-rays exposes you to less radiation than a typical airline flight.
Digital images are also simply better. We can enlarge them, sharpen them, and compare them side by side
with images from past visits to spot changes over time. That last part is quietly one of the most powerful tools
in dentistry, because trends tell us things a single snapshot never could.
Digital x rays
3D imaging, and one of our patients said it best
For implant planning, root canal evaluation, and other complex cases, flat images are not enough, so our
office also uses 3D imaging. One of our patients put it perfectly in a Google review after her first visit. She
appreciated the 3D imaging of her teeth because she could better understand, and literally see, why certain
treatments were being recommended. That sentence is our whole philosophy in miniature.
When you can rotate a three dimensional view of your own jaw on a screen, the conversation about your
treatment stops being about trust alone and starts being about shared evidence. You see the problem. You
see the plan. You decide with full information.
Digital x rays
How often you actually need images
Most patients need a set of routine X-rays once a year, sometimes less if your history is clean and stable. New
patients typically get a full set at their first visit so we have a baseline to compare against for years to come.
Beyond that, we image only when something specific calls for it, like pain, an emergency, or planning for
treatment.
If you are pregnant or have concerns about radiation, tell us. We will talk through the actual numbers, take
only what is truly necessary, and shield appropriately. Questions are always welcome here. Call (512)
646-4420 anytime.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Yes. Digital X-rays use a very small radiation dose, far below what you absorb from ordinary background
sources over a few days of normal life. We also only take images when there is a clear diagnostic reason.
Routine X-rays are covered by most dental plans as part of preventive care. Our front desk verifies your
benefits before your visit so you know what to expect.
A standard X-ray is a flat, two dimensional picture, which is perfect for spotting decay and checking roots. 3D
imaging captures your teeth, roots, and jawbone as a complete model we can rotate and examine from any
angle, which matters for implants, difficult root canals, and other complex planning.
Related services
Preventive Dentistry
Thorough exams, gentle cleanings, digital X-rays, and periodontal care that keep
small problems from ever becoming big ones.
Dental Exams
Plenty of exams amount to a quick glance and a pat on the back. Ours do not. When you sit down in our chair, Dr. Salinas looks at every tooth individually
Emergency Dentistry
Dental emergencies have terrible timing and a talent for panic. A tooth breaks on a Sunday barbecue rib. A toothache that was
Ready to schedule?
Visit Our Office — 512ooth Family Dentistry, 8701 W State Hwy 71 #102, Austin, TX 78735.