Patients commonly ask this question, and we understand their concerns. Dental x-rays are necessary because we wouldn’t be able to treat you without them. We can see some problems with a visual exam, but many others can only be diagnosed with the help of a dental x-ray.
The team at Five Parks Dental wants you to know that your safety is always our priority, and we only use digital x-rays at our Arvada dental office. Taking these state-of-the-art images exposes you to as much as 80 percent less radiation than film-type x-rays.
You don’t have to worry about unnecessary x-rays, either, because our general dentist will only recommend them as needed. We use them to diagnose a new condition, monitor an ongoing condition, or as a routine part of your preventive dental care.
The frequency of routine bitewing x-rays depends on your current and past oral health needs. Patients with excellent oral health and no history of decay or gum disease can go two to three years in between. If you have a history of oral health problems, you may require new x-rays every six or twelve months.
Rest assured that we will never recommend unnecessary dental x-rays. If we do need updated pictures, we will explain why and what we hope to learn from them.
If you have other questions about x-rays or want to schedule an appointment, please call our Arvada dental office so that we can help you.