Our Blog

Digital dental x-rays are a useful tool for diagnosing problems in the mouth we cannot see with the naked eye.  No matter how good the eyesight of your dentist or how much magnification we use, there are simply areas that cannot be seen with normal eyesight.  Unless we have x-ray vision like Superman, we cannot see between the teeth, underneath the gums and in the jaw bone, and dental problems in these areas may be left undetected until it is too late.  Digital dental x-rays give the dentist x-ray vision to see otherwise hidden areas to properly diagnose problems and treat them in a timely manner.

Everyone is worried about the radiation that x-rays are associated with.  However, digital dental x-rays produce very little radiation.  Unlike large head and chest x-rays, digital dental x-rays are only very small and they are not taken of an area of the body which is very susceptible to radiation damage like the brain and lungs.  The digital dental x-ray system we use at Central Brisbane Dental only exposes your mouth to 0.10 seconds of radiation when an x-ray is taken.  This is the same amount of radiation you receive from using your smart phone for a little while.  That’s right – the radiation you get from digital dental x-rays is the same radiation you get from your smart phone or your TV or from flying on a plane.

Nonetheless, at Central Brisbane Dental, we will only take x-rays of your mouth when absolutely necessary and with your permission.  As required by Radiation Health, we have a radiation safety plan and a radiation safety officer to ensure we take x-rays in the safest manner possible.  Our x-ray machines are tested every 3 years by accredited assessors and the rooms in which x-rays are taken are checked every 5 years as required by radiation law.