Cone Beam 3D Imaging: The Future of Dental X-Rays

If you’re someone who is concerned about the potential radiation exposure from traditional dental x-rays, then you’re not alone. Luckily, most dentists today have moved on from traditional x-rays to safer digital x-rays. By switching from film x-rays to digital, the world of dentistry has reduced the amount of radiation exposure by as much as 90%. Additionally, this tool also allows your dentist to provide immediate diagnostics without the elevated risk of exposed radiation.

Read on to learn about other ways you benefit Cone Beam 3D Imaging and how it’s quickly becoming the future of dental x-rays at Aubrey Baudean DDS.

Significant Benefits of Digital Dental X-Rays

Reduced Radiation Exposure

The top reason for today’s dentists to switch to digital X-rays is to offer patients improved, more accurate x-rays with as little as 10% of what they would be exposed to with traditional film-based radiography. This type of radiation exposure has been reduced significantly and means patients can have x-rays taken more frequently with less risk of radiation exposure.

Immediate Results

These new digital x-rays empower dentists to acquire the images they need quickly and accurately, which requires fewer images overall. Because 3D imaging x-rays are available immediately, this streamlines your treatment planning and saves you and your dentist office time in developing your patient plan.

Shorter Appointment Times

Appointment times can be shorter because your dentist can view your x-rays immediately. The quicker your dentist appointments, the sooner you will be able to return to your daily life sooner.

Digitally Stored

Digital x-rays can be stored as images on a computer or online server, allowing your dentist to be able to share the x-rays with other treatment providers and with you. We can email an x-ray rather than having to request a physical copy of one, making your treatment process more straightforward.

A More Accurate Viewpoint

Because your x-rays are digital, your dentist can enhance problem areas of an x-ray and get a more accurate view of a problem before recommending a treatment option for you.

Secure Storage

No physical patient files mean we can store your x-rays digitally and more securely. This also makes it easier to share images when making a referral. Whether you’re looking for a second opinion, need your x-rays for an insurance claim, or you’re looking for a referral to a specialist, obtaining a copy of your most recent x-rays is easy.

How 3D Dental Imaging Can Be Uses

Your dentist can use digital x-rays to:

• Identify tooth decay occurring beneath an existing filling.
• Show areas of tooth decay that may not be visible with an oral exam, especially small, hard-to-see areas of decay between teeth.
• Reveal bone loss that is a result of gum disease.
• Reveal changes in the bone or the root canal resulting from infection.
• Assist in the preparation of tooth implants, braces, dentures, or other dental procedures.
• Reveal an abscess, or when an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and the tooth is present.
• Reveal other abnormalities such as cysts and some types of tumors.
• Check for the development of wisdom teeth and identify if the teeth are impacted.
• Discover if there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth in children.

Digital X-Rays For a Better Dental Experience

While digital x-rays are the new, improved way of empowering dentists to better view their patient’s oral health, dentists are not required to offer this type of x-ray to patients. Many Dental offices are still using traditional x-rays and exposing their patients to unnecessary levels of radiation. If you’re concerned with the amount of radiation you or your family is being exposed to during your dental exams, finding a new dentist that understands the benefits of digital 3-D imaging may be a better solution for you and the rest of their patients.

How frequently you should have x-rays performed often depends on your specific dental needs, your dental history, and the current condition of your oral health. Some people may need x-rays as often as every six months, and others who visit their dentist regularly for bi-annual cleanings and exams may only require x-rays every couple of years.

If you are a new patient, your dentist may take x-rays as part of the initial exam and establish a baseline record to compare changes that may occur over time.

Dr. Aubrey Baudean DDS is proud to offer our patients the benefits of Cone Beam 3D Imaging. To learn more about the digital x-ray process, contact us today to schedule a routine exam.