Advanced Dental Technology

Yes, but very minimally. Digital X-rays emit a fraction of the radiation of traditional film X-rays — a full set of bitewing X-rays exposes you to less radiation than a short airplane flight. We follow the ALARA principle and only take X-rays when they are clinically necessary.

It depends on how recent they are and the quality. We can review X-rays from another office if they were taken within the last 6 months. Printed copies or low-resolution images usually aren't diagnostic quality. Have your previous dentist email the original digital files directly to info@rabbitcreekdental.com before your appointment — that's the fastest way to get us what we need. If your X-rays are older than 6 months, we'll need to take new ones to get an accurate picture of what's going on.

A bitewing X-ray shows the upper and lower back teeth in close contact — the way they bite together. It's the best tool we have for catching cavities between teeth and checking the bone level where your teeth meet your gums. Most insurance plans cover bitewings every 6–12 months because they're that important for routine monitoring.

A panoramic X-ray (sometimes called a "pan" or OPG) is a single wide image that shows your entire mouth — all your teeth, both jaws, your sinuses, and the surrounding bone — in one shot. It gives us a broad overview of your oral health and is especially useful for spotting impacted teeth, bone loss, cysts, and jaw problems. It's usually one of the first X-rays we take for a new patient.

A periapical X-ray shows one or two specific teeth from the crown all the way down to the tip of the root and the surrounding bone. We use it when we need to look closely at a particular tooth — for example, if you're having pain, we suspect an infection, or we're planning a root canal, extraction, or implant in that area.

A panoramic X-ray gives us a broad overview of your jaw, bone levels, sinuses, and overall structure — but it doesn't show the detail between your teeth where cavities most commonly hide. Bitewing X-rays are specifically designed to catch decay between teeth and check the bone levels up close. Periapical X-rays show the full root and surrounding bone of a specific tooth. Each type shows us something different. We only take what we need to make an accurate diagnosis — not as a routine add-on.

A CBCT scan is a 3D cone beam X-ray that gives us a detailed view of your bone structure, nerve positions, and sinus locations. We use it specifically for implant planning and complex extractions — not for routine exams. If we recommend one, we will explain exactly why it is needed for your specific treatment.

An intraoral scanner is a small wand that creates a precise 3D digital model of your teeth, replacing traditional putty impressions. It is faster, more comfortable, and more accurate. We use it for crowns, bridges, implant restorations, and clear aligners.

A small camera about the size of a pen that lets us show you exactly what we see inside your mouth on a screen. If we find a crack, a failing filling, or early decay, you can see it yourself rather than just taking our word for it. It's one of the best tools we have for helping patients understand their own oral health.

We offer lead aprons to patients who want them and use them routinely for pregnant patients. For most patients, the radiation from digital X-rays is low enough that a lead vest isn't clinically required — but we're always happy to use one if it makes you more comfortable.

We recommend X-rays based on your clinical needs, not your insurance schedule. If you're due for X-rays but your insurance won't cover them yet, we'll let you know the out-of-pocket cost upfront so you can decide. We'll never pressure you — but we also won't skip X-rays we believe are clinically necessary without explaining why we think they matter for your care.

We use AI software that analyzes your X-rays alongside the dentist, flagging areas that may warrant a closer look. It does not replace the dentist's judgment — it acts as a second set of eyes. Patients can see the AI highlights on the screen during their exam.

No. Digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and AI-assisted analysis are part of every routine visit at no additional charge. The CBCT 3D scan is used only when clinically indicated for procedures like implant planning — we will always tell you if there is an associated cost before proceeding.