One of the first steps in any dental evaluation will be x-rays to determine the presence and extent of dental decay, bone loss from periodontal disease, bone density, presence and extent of abscesses or cyst formations, or signs of bony degeneration.

Most dentists will take panoramic and bite-wing x-rays, but at Family First Dentistry of Anchorage we don't stop there.

Our cephalometric x-ray unit with digital output shows a profile image of the entire airway passage. This allows the doctor to see your bite pattern and spot any problems.

Conventional visual interpretation of x-ray film is limited. The human eye is only capable of discerning a limited range of shades of gray. But through the use of digital image enhancement software, a far greater range of sensitivity is possible.

That means subtleties in the x-rays that would have gone unnoticed can now be seen, resulting in the detection of decay at a much earlier stage. By catching the decay early we can preserve more of the tooth.

In addition to tooth decay, digital imaging can alert the dentist to a range of potential threats such as erosion of a tooth’s enamel layer, bone and jaw related problems and more.

The benefits of digital imaging extend beyond enhanced diagnosis. At Family First Dentistry, safeguarding our patients’ health is a primary concern. Our imaging technologies require 90% less radiation exposure for the patient compared to traditional x-rays.