Comprehensive Exam and X-Rays
The most important thing we may ever do for you is our comprehensive exam. Not only will we check your teeth and gums for disease, we will also perform complete head and neck, TMJ, and soft tissue cancer-screening exams. Early detection can make all difference in your oral and general health!
Full Compliment of General and Cosmetic Dental Procedures
We perform most general and cosmetic dental procedures right here in our office: Diagnostic and preventive procedures (like x-rays, exams, and cleanings); operative procedures (like fillings, crowns, bridges, and high-tech single-visit CEREC inlays, onlays, partial crowns, and crowns); root canal treatment; root planing (deep cleaning); and minor oral surgery (like extraction of hopeless teeth).
DIGITAL X-RAYS
Dr. Steve uses the latest advances in Dental Technology. Digital X-Rays reduce exposure up to 90% and deliver an image instantly! Are dental x-rays necessary?
You may be concerned when your dentist tells you that x-rays need to be taken. You may wonder whether they are really necessary, how you can benefit from them, and whether or not there will be any risk to your health. We'll try to provide some specific answers to those questions here.
Dental X-Rays provide information for detection, diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can threaten your oral and general health. Many of these diseases are not visible with the naked eye. Here is a list of conditions that can only be detected using x-rays:
• To find decay in between the teeth.
• To detect dental abscess before any other signs are present.
• To detect bone cysts.
• To see the condition of periodontal bone levels.
• To see the condition of tooth roots.
• To determine the condition of existing restorations.
• To determine the presence of impacted or un-erupted teeth.
• To locate deep plaque and tartar.
• To see the relative position of the tooth roots to the sinuses.
• To determine if orthodontics is necessary and appropriate.
How often should dental x-rays be taken?
X-ray frequency is determined on an individual basis. It is necessary to start with a full set of x-rays, and update that set with recall x-rays at least once per year. For patients who have had extensive crowns or fillings done, or if the patient has had treatment for periodontal disease, the x-rays need to be done more frequently.
What is a full-mouth series of x-rays?
This is a set of x-rays that targets all the teeth individually. Generally, this includes 18 to 20 x-rays.
What is a panoramic x-ray?
Panoramic x-rays cover the entire mouth, jaw and sinuses on a single film. This type of x-ray is most useful in the detection of many problems including abscesses and impacted teeth, but are not precise enough to detect small cavities in between teeth. 
How much radiation is involved with dental x-rays?
Using state of the art technology, a full set of x-rays will deliver a dose of 3 millirem of radiation. This is equal to 4 days of being outdoors. Federal and state regulations for workers whose occupation involves exposure to radiation sets 5000 millirems of radiation per year as safe.
Who determines how much radiation is safe?
The Center for Devices and Radiological Health of the Food and Drug Administration (www.FDA.gov), the American Dental Association (www.ADA.org), the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements are a few of the organizations that monitor x-ray usage. Many states also have regulations regarding x-rays and x-ray equipment.
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