Low Radiation Digital X-Rays

What are low radiation digital X-rays?

Low radiation digital X-rays are diagnostic imaging tests available in the Herrin Pediatric Dentistry office. Your child’s dentist uses them to view your child’s teeth and jawbone, make diagnoses, assess damages, and plan effective treatment. 

Low radiation digital X-rays are very safe because their radiation is at a harmless minimum. In fact, these X-rays use about 90% less radiation than traditional X-ray imaging tests. The images are available for the team to review immediately, and they can interpret the results for you and your child right away. 

Herrin Pediatric Dentistry also has a digital panoramic X-ray machine, which gives a long panoramic image of your teeth and jaw. The machine rotates in a half-circle around your child’s head to capture these images. 

When does my child need low radiation digital X-rays?

Your child needs digital X-rays on their first visit to Herrin Pediatric Dentistry and every few years thereafter. This gives the team a chance to look over the insides of your teeth, their roots, and the underlying jawbone regularly to identify any possible current or future problems.

Your child might also need a digital X-ray if they arrive with tooth pain or during the planning process for a dental procedure. The team uses digital X-rays only when needed, such as:

• While planning an orthodontic treatment
• Viewing impacted teeth (teeth that haven’t erupted)
• Locating abscesses
• Monitoring the development of the wisdom teeth
• Searching for tooth decay

If your child’s dentist at Herrin Pediatric Dentistry recommends a low radiation digital X-ray, the team tells you what purpose it will serve and how your child will benefit. 

What should my child expect while getting low radiation digital X-rays?

When your child comes to Herrin Pediatric Dentistry for a low radiation digital X-ray, the team places an X-ray sensor in their mouth. This might be a little uncomfortable or unusual, but it shouldn’t cause your child any pain. If your child has a strong gag reflex, laughing gas may be an option to keep it at bay during the test.

Because the X-rays are digital, the images show up on a nearby computer monitor instead of on film. The team at Herrin Pediatric Dentistry can manipulate the images for a closer, more detailed view at any time. They can brighten the image for a better view, adjust the contrast, or zoom in on a particular area. 

To schedule your child’s next appointment at Herrin Pediatric Dentistry, call the office or book online today.