Conducting Exams With Digital X-Rays
When your little one is due for a dental checkup, we hope you bring them in for a visit soon! We recommend an exam once every six months, as this can help protect smiles from issues like tooth decay or even dental infection. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about exams with digital x-rays!
When Your Child Needs an Exam
At around age one, when your child’s first baby tooth erupts, we recommend an initial wellness visit, during which we will conduct a simple knee-to-knee lap exam. At about age two, kids should start seeing our team for a checkup and cleaning visit about once every six months. During the visit, we will not only conduct a visual exam of the smile, but we will use advanced imaging, including digital x-rays, to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. Our team can identify issues like the early stages of cavities, infection, or gingivitis, and create a treatment plan to address these concerns. These visits also allow us to talk about proper oral hygiene and the importance of caring for our teeth and gums.
Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays allow us to see what is happening beneath the gum line, so we can watch for factors that could lead to issues like infection, impaction, or misalignment. The technology uses 90% less radiation than traditional systems. Your kids also don’t need to deal with uncomfortable bite wings, and the images are available instantly chairside, so no need to wait for them to develop in harsh chemicals. Your child spends less time in the chair and obtains a diagnosis with better precision than traditional options. We can also easily transmit these digital records to specialists, such as orthodontists, as needed.
Custom Treatment Plans
If we discover issues that need attention, then our team can help with a custom treatment plan. For example, if we find a cavity, then our team can address it in one visit with a custom and lifelike dental filling, one made from metal-free composite resin. We can also discuss NuSmile zirconia crowns, which offer a more lifelike appearance than metal options. For infected teeth, we can conduct a conservative alternative to a root canal with a pulpotomy.
If you have any questions about how we examine and treat smiles with digital x-rays and checkups, or if you would like to schedule a visit for your child, then contact our team today to learn more.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dentistry?
Our team wants to offer care to keep teeth and gums healthy for years to come. To learn more about our preventive treatments for kids, then please contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Preventive Treatments