A lot of dental disease hides in plain sight, or rather, out of sight. Cavities forming between teeth, bone loss from gum disease, an infection at the root of a tooth, an impacted wisdom tooth still under the gum, these are all things a visual exam alone will miss.
X-rays give Dr. Locklear a clear picture of what's actually happening in your teeth, jaw, and surrounding bone, which means problems get caught and treated while they're still small and simple, rather than after they've turned into pain, an emergency visit, or a more expensive procedure.
We use digital x-ray technology, which captures a clearer image using about 90 percent less radiation than old-style film x-rays and shows up on screen in seconds rather than requiring you to wait on developed film. Most patients need routine bitewing x-rays about once a year to check for cavities between teeth, with a full set of images taken every few years to get the complete picture of your jaw, roots, and bone.
If you're being evaluated for something more specific, like an implant, an impacted wisdom tooth, or a TMJ issue, we may recommend a more detailed 3D scan, which gives us a far more precise view than a standard x-ray and helps us plan treatment with real accuracy. Either way, the process is quick, comfortable, and completely painless, and we're always happy to explain exactly what we're looking at.
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