X-RAYS: Computed Dental Radiography

We now have the ability to take dental x-rays exposing the patient to as little as one-tenth the amount of radiation of older, conventional x-rays. This is done with the use of digital x-rays (Computed dental radiography) that doesn't use film and doesn't need chemicals. CDR is less harmful to environment. We use a sensor - a plastic mouthpiece - which sends instant X-ray images to a computer monitor, cutting the amount of patients' radiation exposure and time in the office.

The dentist and the patient can look at the images on a computer screen together and use this as an educational tool. The image taken can be enhanced and enlarged many times its actual size. This helps the patient to understand the diagnosis and the proposed treatment. This also helps dentists easily see even the smallest changes that have occurred - changes that might not be visible to the naked eye.

Whole Body Health-Mouth Body Connection

Oral health is not an independent system from your whole body. Recent studies show that poor oral health (gum disease) can contribute to systemic diseases. Research is being conducted today to prove or disprove the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic disease. The systemic disease that are being collated with periodontal disease are the following:

Contribute to the development of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death.

• Increase the risk of stroke.
• Increase a woman's risk of having a preterm, low birth weight baby.
• Pose a serious threat to people whose health is compromised by diabetes, respiratory disease, or osteoporosis.

Regular visits also allow us to clean your teeth and introduce advances in dentistry that can help your smile look its best. If you value your oral health as well as your overall health, a periodontal evaluation is a good idea. Sometimes the only way to detect periodontal disease is through a periodontal evaluation.