Digital X-rays for Children in Lancaster, PA

At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our team of pediatric dentists is dedicated to bringing the highest standard of safe, effective care to children and teens. One technology we use to uphold this commitment is digital x-rays (radiographs), which provide us with a more comprehensive view of your child's dental health. An important diagnostic tool, digital x-rays show the internal structures of your child's teeth and jaw and enable our board-certified pediatric dentists to screen for hidden areas of decay, impacted teeth, abscesses, and cysts and evaluate tooth and root positioning along with other dental checkpoints. When oral issues can be diagnosed in the early stages, treatment can often be less invasive and far more conservative. Our Lancaster, PA team generally takes x-rays on an annual or as-needed basis during your child's routine dental cleaning and exam visits. Talk with our caring team today to learn more about the benefits of digital dental x-rays.

There are many benefits of digital x-rays for children. Digital x-rays are often more popular among children than traditional radiography because the images can be quickly taken without the discomfort of bite blocks in your child's mouth. Other benefits of digital x-rays include:

• Enhanced, quality images
• Reduced radiation exposure
• Extremely helpful in dental emergencies

Dedicated to improving the safety and comfort of care for Lancaster, PA children and teens, we utilize digital x-rays, which emit significantly less radiation than traditional methods. Even still, our experienced team takes precautionary measures to minimize radiographic exposure among patients and their parents. Generally more comfortable than film x-rays, digital radiographs are often taken as a preventive measure and are typically part of routine dental exams for children. At times, x-rays are necessary to help us create a treatment plan for your child. If your son or daughter is having a specific concern, such as pain or signs of oral damage, we may take an x-ray to fully understand the issue. Our team may also recommend a panoramic x-ray (showing the entire jaw) every few years so that we may monitor eruption patterns and tooth positioning and screen for concerns, like orthodontic issues and wisdom teeth impaction. Digital x-rays can be enlarged to show oral structures in much greater detail. With this approach, you and your child can also have a better understanding of any treatment needs.

Digital x-rays are often taken at the beginning of the dental exam and cleaning appointment so that we may view your child's images throughout their visit. To take digital x-rays, our highly trained team uses a child-sized sensor and efficient approach to capture your child's images as comfortably and quickly as possible. The sensor is connected to our computer system, which transmits your child's x-rays to their patient file within seconds. Our dentists will then review the x-ray images with you and point out any areas or abnormalities that may require further care.

Bitewing x-rays are generally taken annually at one of your child's check-up visits. These types of radiographs show portions of the upper and lower teeth and allow us to check for cavities between teeth and under restorations (fillings and crowns) while evaluating the bone supporting the teeth. At certain ages, we may take a panoramic x-ray to fully evaluate your child's jawbone, tooth roots, tooth positioning, and eruption pattern, along with other oral concerns. Any x-rays taken for your child will be stored in their record at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates so that our team can evaluate their oral development from year-to-year and provide the best possible care for any treatment needs.

Most dental insurance plans cover digital x-rays when taken during dental exam visits. At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, our knowledgeable staff will review your insurance benefits, file your claims on your behalf, and provide you with an estimate of any uncovered portion of your child's x-rays. We are pleased to accept several easy payment options to help make your family's care as affordable as possible, including low- or no-interest CareCredit® financing solutions.

How often should my child's teeth be x-rayed?
Every child has unique dental needs, so the requirement for dental x-rays will vary. Digital x-rays of your child's teeth will typically be performed when they can provide more details than a visual exam.

Why does my child need digital x-rays if their teeth are fine?
Digital x-rays allow our dentists to see dental concerns not visible to the naked eye. X-rays provide a comprehensive view of your child's teeth, jaw, and gums. Cavities, bone diseases, evaluating injury impacts, and images for orthodontics are all factors as to why your child may be recommended for digital x-rays.

Are digital x-rays safe?
Thanks to imaging technology advancements, digital x-rays emit the lowest amount of radiation. Digital x-rays can be taken quickly, and your child should feel no pain or discomfort. To learn more about digital x-rays, call our office today to speak with a member of our team!

At what age should children start having digital x-rays?
We generally suggest x-rays starting when your child has permanent teeth starting to appear. This is typically around age six.

What can digital dental x-rays detect?
A digital dental x-ray can be used to detect numerous concerns in your child's mouth. Some of these include:

• Infection in the tooth or tooth root
• Spacing issues
• Abnormal lesions
• Cavities
• If baby teeth are falling out correctly
• If permanent teeth are coming in correctly

Why are digital x-rays prefered over traditional x-rays?
Digital x-rays are typically able to produce higher-quality images. They are considered safer, more cost-effective, and more efficient. Additionally, they can also be uploaded in real-time to the dentist's computer.

Digital x-rays are a safer, more advanced and effective way for our team to evaluate your child's total oral health and identify concerns that may not be visible to the naked eye. By taking x-rays on a routine basis, our Lancaster, PA pediatric specialists can often detect cavities and other treatment needs in the early stages and prevent oral concerns from bringing further harm or discomfort to your child's smile. Learn more about our digital x-ray process by scheduling a dental visit for your son or daughter at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates.