Digital X-Rays

General Dentistry located in Seattle, WA

Digital X-Rays services offered in Seattle, WA

X-rays are a common diagnostic procedure and considered safe. Dentists Hanbit Chi, DDS, and Sarah Park, DDS, of Alki Dental, serving Seattle, Washington, and surrounding areas, use advanced digital X-ray technology to quickly and accurately assess and diagnose any underlying oral issues otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Unlike traditional X-rays, digital radiology uses a fraction of the radiation to produce higher quality. Call the West Seattle office or book your appointment online today to learn more.

What are digital X-rays?

Digital X-rays are advanced radiology imaging that uses digital X-ray sensors, replacing traditional photographic X-rays with enhanced computer images of your teeth, gums, bone structure, and bone condition. They are instantly developed into high-resolution images on a computer for your dentist to more accurately assess, diagnose, and treat oral health issues.

How do digital X-rays work?

Digital X-rays can be taken in two ways: intraoral (inside the mouth) or extraoral (outside the mouth). Intraoral is the most common method and uses a small radiation-sensitive plate that easily fits in the patient's mouth. The intraoral photos are taken using minimal radiation, which is picked up by the mouth sensor producing detailed images instantly on a computer.

Extraoral photos are less detailed but are used to detect impacted teeth, monitor tooth growth, check bone health, and any TMJ-related issues.

What are some of the benefits of taking digital X-rays?

Digital X-rays are better for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, and tracking oral conditions and diseases. Traditional X-rays expose patients to a small amount of radiation and need to be developed onto film and then studied by a doctor, leaving room for human error. Digital X-rays are more accurate by developing high-resolution images instantly to a computer. 

Digital X-rays use less radiation and create high-quality images that enable dentists to zoom in for more detail for better diagnosis issues, with more accuracy and less room for error. They’re also more easily transferred between dentists, specialists, or insurance providers in the case of providing proof for a claim.

Do I need a digital X-ray? 

X-rays help monitor the health of your teeth and bone. They also help dentists check for cavities, impacted teeth, tooth decay, abscesses, fractures, or other ailments otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

Are digital X-rays safe?

While digital X-rays use far less radiation than traditional X-rays, lead-lined vests are still used as a precaution to protect patients from receiving too much radiation. It is safe for pregnant people to receive up to four X-rays per visit. Although children are more sensitive to radiation, it is still safe for children and essential in monitoring tooth growth and development. 

You can call the office or reach out online today to schedule an appointment with the team.