DIGITAL DENTAL X-RAYS • LOMBARD & AURORA
See What We See
Modern digital X-rays show us what's happening below the surface — with less radiation and instant results.
Why we take X-rays
Even the most thorough visual exam can only see the surface. X-rays reveal what’s happening underneath: decay hiding between teeth, bone loss around roots, infections at the tip of a root, cysts, and teeth that haven’t erupted yet. Finding these early is the difference between a small filling and a root canal — or between saving a tooth and losing it.
Three views, one complete picture
Bitewing X-rays — small images that show the crowns of your back teeth and the bone between them. Our go-to for spotting cavities between teeth and early bone changes.
Panoramic X-ray — one sweeping image of your entire mouth: all teeth, jaws, and joints. Ideal for wisdom teeth, orthodontic planning, and implant evaluation.
3D cone-beam (CBCT) — a detailed three-dimensional map used when precision matters most, like planning dental implants.
You won’t see a lead apron here — and that’s on purpose
If you’re used to being draped in a heavy lead apron, its absence isn’t a shortcut — it’s the American Dental Association’s current guidance.
In February 2024, an ADA expert panel reviewed nearly 100 studies and concluded that lead aprons and thyroid collars are no longer recommended during dental imaging — for any patient, including children and pregnant women — and that their routine use should be discontinued.
Why? Modern digital sensors and tightly focused beams already protect you better than an apron does. And aprons can backfire: if one blocks the X-ray beam, the image has to be retaken — meaning a second dose you never needed.
How much radiation are we talking about?
Less than a day of everyday life. This puts a routine set of dental X-rays next to things you never think twice about:
Radiation in perspective
Approximate effective doses, in microsieverts (µSv). Lower is less.
A routine set of dental X-rays exposes you to less radiation than a single day of simply being alive.
Digital means less — in every way
- Up to 90% less radiation than old film X-rays
- Instant images — no waiting, no retakes for processing errors
- Sharper detail, so we catch more with fewer images
- No harsh chemical developers
- We only take what’s needed, when it’s needed — never on autopilot
Common questions
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Yes. The ADA’s guidance covers pregnant patients explicitly, and the doses involved are a tiny fraction of any level associated with harm. Tell us you’re expecting and we’ll take only what’s necessary.
Are they safe for kids?
Yes — and especially valuable, since children’s mouths change fast. Small, fast digital sensors keep doses minimal.
How often will I need them?
Only when there’s a clinical reason. Many patients go years between full sets; we follow the ADA’s guidance on frequency, not a sales quota.
Does it hurt?
Not at all. The sensor rests gently against your teeth for a few seconds per image.
Ready for a clearer picture?
Request an appointment at the office that suits you best — Lombard or Aurora.
