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Digital X-Rays

General and Cosmetic Dentistry located in Houston and Pearland, TX

Digital X-Rays services offered in Houston and Pearland, TX


Digital X-rays allow your dentist to identify underlying oral health problems, like cavities, gum disease, and impacted teeth. At TLN Family Dental, general and cosmetic dentists Tammeka Nickleberry, DDS, Esther Oluwo, DDS, Taylor Provost, DDS, and Precious Ude, DDS, use digital X-rays to help guide your treatment plan. To make an appointment, call the nearest office in Houston, Meyer Park, or Pearland, Texas, or book online today.

Digital X-Rays Q&A


What are digital X-rays?

Digital X-rays use electronic sensors and small amounts of ionizing radiation to capture high-quality images of your tooth roots, jaw, and alveolar bone (the bone that anchors your teeth.)

They provide an easy and effective way to gain insight into your oral health without making incisions. In addition, they help TLN Family Dental find and treat potential problems early on, saving you time and unnecessary discomfort.

What types of problems can digital X-rays diagnose?

TLN Family Dental uses digital X-rays to diagnose various oral health problems, including:

  • Tooth decay
  • Bone loss
  • Gum disease
  • Changes in the jawbone or root canal caused by an infection
  • Oral abscesses
  • Impacted wisdom teeth
  • Cysts and tumors

TLN Family Dental also uses digital X-rays to help guide certain types of treatment, like root canal therapy, dental implant placement, and extractions.

What are the types of digital X-rays?

TLN Family Dental offers two types of digital X-rays, including:

Intraoral digital X-rays

Intraoral digital X-rays provide greater detail about the health of your tooth roots, jaw, and gums. They’re the gold standard for identifying cavities and other common oral health problems.

Extraoral digital X-rays

Extraoral digital X-rays provide information about the health of your jaw and skull. TLN Family Dental might recommend extraoral X-rays if you experience problems with your jaw or bite, such as persistent pain when chewing.

What does getting digital X-rays involve?

At the beginning of treatment, your TLN Family Dental provider inserts spacers (film holders) into your mouth. Next, they ask you to sit very still while they position the X-ray camera, and then they leave the room. 

Your provider captures a series of X-rays by pressing a button on a computer console. Then, they return to the exam room and adjust the spacers, as needed. Digital X-rays develop instantly, so they can go over the results with you during the same visit.

If your provider uncovers any problems, like cavities or gum disease, they make treatment recommendations.

How often do I need digital X-rays?

TLN Family Dental recommends you undergo digital X-rays at least once a year, even if your mouth feels fine. Many underlying issues, like cavities and gum disease, don’t present obvious symptoms. Routine digital X-rays can alert you early on when they’re easiest to treat.

To see if you’re a candidate for digital X-rays, make an appointment at TLN Family Dental by calling the nearest office or booking online today.