Modern digital X-rays show us what is happening inside and between your teeth, with minimal radiation.
What Are Digital Dental X-Rays?
Digital X-rays use a small sensor instead of traditional film. The image appears on a screen within seconds, and it can be zoomed in, adjusted for brightness, and shared or stored easily. The process is faster and more comfortable than film X-rays for most patients.
At Manzanita Dental Group, we use digital X-rays because they produce significantly less radiation than traditional film, give us a clearer image, and let us show you exactly what we are looking at during your exam.
What X-Rays Reveal
What X-Rays Help Us Find
Cavities between teeth that cannot be seen with a visual exam alone
Bone loss from gum disease
Infections or abscesses at the root of a tooth
Impacted teeth
Problems with existing restorations not visible to the eye
Most patients get bitewing X-rays once a year and a full set every three to five years. New patients generally get a full set at their first visit so we have a baseline. Dr. Sandhu only takes X-rays when they are clinically appropriate, not on a rigid schedule.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Yes. Digital X-rays expose patients to a very small amount of radiation, far less than traditional film and comparable to the natural background radiation you receive on a short flight. We use protective lead aprons as a standard precaution.
We welcome patients from Carmichael and nearby communities including Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks, Arden-Arcade, and the Sacramento 95841 area. X-rays are typically taken alongside a comprehensive dental exam.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Most patients get bitewing X-rays once a year. A full set is typically taken every few years or when you are new to the practice. Dr. Sandhu only takes X-rays when they add clinical value.
We defer to your OB's guidance. If you are pregnant, let us know before your appointment and we can discuss whether X-rays are appropriate at that visit. We always use a lead apron.
Yes. We review them with you on screen during your exam. Dr. Sandhu points out exactly what he is looking at and explains what it means.
A bitewing is a specific type of X-ray that shows the crowns of the upper and lower back teeth on the same image. It is the most common type used to check for cavities between teeth.
If you can provide recent X-rays from your previous dentist, Dr. Sandhu will review them. If they are current and diagnostically useful, we may not need to retake them.
Questions about what your X-rays show?
We walk you through every image at your appointment. No guesswork, no surprises.
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