What Your Dentist Cannot See Without X-Rays Could Cost You Later.
Most dental problems are invisible during a visual exam until they have already caused significant damage. Dental X-rays show what is happening between teeth, beneath the gum line, and inside the bone before any symptoms appear. Grand Prairie Family Dental, located in Grand Prairie TX, uses digital dental X-rays under Dr. Behrooz Khademazad, DDS, who has practiced at this location since August 28, 1988, with advanced imaging technology that provides instant, high-resolution results with up to 80 percent less radiation than traditional film.
If you have questions about why X-rays are taken at certain appointments, what they actually show, or whether they are safe, you are not alone. Patients from Mountain Creek and Nottingham Estates come to Grand Prairie Family Dental with exactly those questions. Most leave the appointment with a clear understanding of what was found and why the imaging mattered.
What Dental X-Rays Actually Show
A visual exam tells Dr. Khademazad what he can see on the surface of your teeth and gums. Dental X-rays show everything the eye cannot reach. Cavities forming between teeth, infections developing at the root, bone loss from gum disease, and impacted teeth all appear on imaging before they produce any pain or visible signs. The American Dental Association identifies dental X-rays as an essential diagnostic tool for early detection of conditions that are far more complex and costly to treat once they become symptomatic.
Digital X-rays at Grand Prairie Family Dental display instantly on a chairside screen so Dr. Khademazad can walk you through exactly what he is seeing in real time. You leave the appointment understanding your own oral health, not just receiving a treatment recommendation.
Types of Dental X-Rays Used at Grand Prairie Family Dental
Different clinical situations require different X-ray views. Dr. Khademazad selects the appropriate type based on what he is evaluating at each appointment. Here is an overview of the most common types used at Grand Prairie Family Dental and what each one shows:
- Bitewing X-rays show cavities forming between teeth and monitor bone levels around the back teeth
- Periapical X-rays capture the full length of a tooth from crown to root tip, used for root and bone evaluation
- Panoramic X-rays capture the entire mouth including the jaw, sinuses, and all teeth in one image
- Digital X-rays are used for all imaging at Grand Prairie Family Dental for higher resolution and lower radiation
Each type gives Dr. Khademazad a different angle on your oral health. Most routine check-up appointments use bitewing X-rays while more comprehensive evaluations or treatment planning use periapical or panoramic views.
How Often Do You Need Dental X-Rays
X-ray frequency at Grand Prairie Family Dental is determined by your clinical situation, not a default schedule applied to every patient. Most adults with low decay risk benefit from bitewing X-rays once per year. Patients with active gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, or ongoing treatment may need more frequent imaging. Children and teenagers may need more frequent X-rays because their teeth and jaw are still developing.
Dr. Khademazad reviews your dental history and risk factors before recommending any imaging. The goal is to take what is clinically necessary and nothing more.
