Planning Your Treatment With Digital X-Rays

When you come to our team for treatment, we will plan care with detail using the latest in diagnostic imaging. Digital x-rays help us with the diagnosis and improve how we plan treatment too. In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about digital x-rays.

When to See Our Team for a Diagnosis

When should you contact our team to talk about your gum health? When you notice changes to your gingival tissues, you should let us know. For example, warning signs of gingivitis and periodontal disease could include soreness, redness, or bleeding in your gums. You could also experience recession, in which they pull back from the teeth and make your teeth appear long or uneven. Lack of care could mean the risk of the disease reaching the advanced stage, known as periodontitis. At this stage, the risk of tooth loss is higher!

Digital X-Rays

To begin, we will want to assess the extent of your disease and the impact it has had on your tooth roots and jawbone structure, so we can see if you need treatment to address bone loss in addition to care to manage periodontal disease. With digital x-rays, you will place your chin on a special rest and a machine will encircle your head, so we can gain detailed and panoramic pictures of your jaw and smile. The machine means no need to use uncomfortable bitewings, and the system uses up to 90% less radiation than traditional options. The images are also available instantly chairside, so you don’t have to wait for them to be developed. We will be able to offer a diagnosis with greater precision and accuracy, as these are very high-definition pictures of your smile.

What Happens Next?

Once we examine the images and assess the threat to your smile, we can discuss pliable treatment options. For more minor stages, we could use holistic options, like deep cleanings, ozone therapy, or supportive periodontal maintenance to manage the issue. For more severe cases, we could use advanced dental lasers to trim away diseased portions of the gums, and to also conduct a gum graft to address the exposed portions of your tooth roots. If you have any questions about how we examine your smile and plan treatment with digital x-rays, then please reach out to our team today to learn more.

Talk to Dr. Kania About Our Digital Imaging Systems

We want to offer care with precision and accuracy for our patients, so they can enjoy better gum health and maintain a full smile. To learn more about diagnosing your periodontal issues and how we plan treatment, or to schedule your appointment, give us a call at our office in Encinitas, CA today at 760-642-0711.