Digital X-Rays (Radiographs)
X-rays reveal “invisible” decay. We are pleased to provide patients with the latest in advanced, digital radiography.
How do Radiographs Help?
Dental x-rays or radiographs are very important. They allow the dentist to see things about your oral health that cannot be seen by the naked eye. These items include cysts (sacks of fluid that form on the roots of teeth), cancerous and non-cancerous tumors, invisible decay that occurs between teeth, and the location of teeth that haven’t grown all the way in.
By using an x-ray to diagnose these problems, we can help save you money in the long run from surgeries or other treatments that might become necessary if we didn’t find the problem. In some cases, where dental x-rays show the location of tumorous growths, x-rays can be responsible for saving your life.
Advantages of Digital Radiography
Digital x-rays have many advantages when compared with old fashioned film-based machines, including:
- Reduced radiation exposure.
- Enhanced ability to refine image quality
- Instant viewing (no waiting for films to develop)
- Environmentally friendly (no toxic chemicals)
Best of all, it’s easy for you to see what the doctor sees. Your digital x-ray can be seen on a computer screen located next to your dental chair. This helps you understand your needs and make and informed choice about any treatment.
3D Imaging With Cone Beam Technology
PrexIon is a cutting edge dental diagnostic system that delivers superior quality images of your teeth with a minimal dose of radiation. The PrexIon imaging system allows Del Kovacevic, DMD to generate accurate 3D imagery of your jaw, mouth and teeth with much more detail than traditional x-rays. This in-depth scan allows Del Kovacevic, DMD to determine whether cavities, abnormal growths or other dental conditions exist – especially conditions which might not be evident when using a traditional 2D panorex x-ray.
How Does PrexIon 3D Imaging Improve the Dental Implant Procedure?
The PrexIon system allows Del Kovacevic, DMD to accurately measure bone density, which is essential for placing dental implants. To determine whether a patient is a good candidate for dental implants, one of the primary things Del Kovacevic, DMD must evaluate is the thickness and quality of your jaw bone. This is important because dental implants are permanently attached to your jaw. The jaw must be dense enough and healthy enough for implants to be possible and successful. With PrexIon, Del Kovacevic, DMD can gauge the thickness of bone structure to determine what size dental implants are appropriate for your mouth. In essence, the more information Del Kovacevic, DMD has about your mouth, the more precise and natural looking your implants will look and feel.
Cleanings & Examinations
Professional Cleanings
Professional cleanings (dental prophylaxis) performed by a dentist or hygienist form the foundation for preventing gum disease and tooth decay. In a professional cleaning, your dentist or hygienist will:
- Remove plaque from the teeth – Plaque is a sticky substance that forms in the mouth from food, saliva and bacteria. Plaque sticks to teeth and causes tooth decay and gum disease.
- Remove calculus (tarter) above the gum line – Calculus is plaque that has hardened on the tooth surface and is difficult to remove. (Calculus below the gum line indicates gum disease and requires a different procedure to remove it.)
- Polish and remove stains from teeth
Dental Examinations
Dental examinations help to diagnose disease before it becomes hazardous to your health. In addition, regular examinations can save you money by alleviating problems while they are small and before they become expensive to repair, or in some cases, impossible to repair. Your dental examinations generally include the following:
- Oral cancer screening
- Gum disease evaluation
- Visual examination of tooth decay
- Examination of diagnostic x-rays to see cysts, tumors, invisible decay and other problems that can’t be seen by the naked eye
- Evaluation of status of current restorations (fillings and others)
We cannot express enough how important it is to see your dentist regularly. Remember, preventing disease is always better than treating disease.