What is a digital image and why is it important to my treatment plan?
Digital imaging of radiography (X-ray) offers a variety of benefits for doctors and patients over traditional, film-based X-rays. When digital X-ray is conducted, a sensor captures the X-ray image and displays it in a digital format. Once the image is captured, your doctor can view the results on a computer or television monitor. With the ability to zoom in on certain areas, your oral surgeon can see areas of the oral cavity more closely.
Our oral surgeons can use the high-resolution displays on monitors to point out the specifics of your condition and offer a thorough explanation of your oral and facial health. After treatment, old and new radiography can be easily compared to determine a patient’s improvement and progress. An additional advantage to digital imaging is easy transfer of patient records to other medical professionals.
What are some reasons I would need a new X-ray?
If you haven’t had an x-ray within one year you may be required to have a new one taken for your current visit. Our scheduling team will assist you with obtaining your most current x-ray from your referring office before your first visit and if you don’t have one, we can do it for you when you come in!
Other types of x-rays or scans may be necessary depending on your treatment plan. Intraoral cameras are used to detect oral cancer and check the health of gum tissue—especially at the back of the mouth before oral surgery.
X-ray imaging, including dental CBCT, provides a fast, non-invasive way of answering a number of clinical questions. Dental CBCT images provide three-dimensional (3-D) information, rather than the two-dimensional (2-D) information provided by a conventional X-ray image. This may help with the diagnosis, treatment planning and evaluation of certain conditions.
Our oral surgeons work with state of the art technology and can efficiently review images to answer all of your treatment plan questions.