Skip to main content

Digital X-Rays Specialist

Baldwin Louie, DDS & Patricia Louie, DDS

Family Dentists & Cosmetic Dentists located in Inner Richmond District, San Francisco, CA

Patients at Dr. Baldwin Louie and Dr. Patricia Louie's modern practice in the Richmond District of San Francisco, CA, benefit from the most advanced digital x-ray technology.

Digital X-rays Q&A

What is a Digital X-ray?

Modern technological advances in dental medicine have introduced digital radiography or digital x-ray, reducing a patient’s exposure to radiation and creating almost instant images of the interior of the teeth. Digital X-rays use an electronic sensor instead of x-ray film to take the image and store it on a computer. The images can be instantly viewed and manipulated by the dentist to see easily if there are any developing issues. Dental X-rays are a valuable tool in diagnosing issues as some dental conditions are not visible to the naked eye during their early stages. Digital X-rays are faster and more comfortable to take, reducing the patient's time in the chair.

What Conditions Do Dental X-rays Reveal?

  • Bone loss
  • Abscesses or cysts
  • Decay between the teeth
  • Developmental abnormalities.
  • Poor tooth and root positions.
  • Cancerous and noncancerous tumors
  • Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line

Are Dental X-rays Safe?

Advancements in X-ray technology have drastically reduced the amount of radiation a patient is exposed to when an X-ray is taken. Digital X-rays reduce that exposure even more, up to 80-90% less than traditional techniques. This makes digital x-rays better for the health and safety of the patient. Even though digital x-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered very safe, dentists still take precautions to limit the patient’s exposure to radiation. Precautions include only using lead apron shields and only taking x-rays when absolutely necessary.

How Often Should Dental X-rays Be Taken?

The dentist will usually take X-rays on the patient’s first visit as part of the extended consultation and to provide a base image of the patient’s teeth for comparison against the future. Otherwise, the need for dental x-rays depends on the patient’s individual dental health needs. X-rays may be ordered depending on the results from a dental exam, signs and symptoms, age, and risk of disease. Unless a developing dental issue necessitates it, a full set of X-rays should be good for three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays, where images are taken of top and bottom teeth biting together, are usually taken at routine visits to monitor for new dental problems.

Insurance Information

Please contact our office for more information regarding insurance providers.

Aetna
Ameritas
Anthem Blue Cross
Assurant Health
Cigna
Connection Dental
Delta Dental
First Dental Health
GEHA Health Plans
Guardian
Health Net
MetLife
Premier Access
Principal Financial Group
UnitedHealthcare