Digital X-Rays & Imaging
Clear Imaging For Thorough Examinations
X-rays have been an essential part of dentistry for decades. Taking these images allows us, your dentist in Fort Myers, to accurately diagnose and treat problems. Without them, it would be impossible for our team to see inside of and between your teeth, both of which are areas not visible during your routine dental exam.
The mid 1980s saw the introduction of digital dental x-rays on the clinical scene. Nearly all dental practices today rely on digital imaging to take their patients’ x-rays as it offers many important advantages.
A digital x-ray emits a special low-level radiation similar to the type of background radiation you receive from the sun, the earth’s crust, various types of food, and even the air we breathe.
Unlike film-based x-rays, digital x-rays do not require chemical film processing, therefore, there’s…
- No harmful environmental waste
- Results are instantly available
- Enlargement for clarification is easy (and there’s no distortion)
- We can use them as teaching aids, helping us to explain the situation to you
- Easily emailed to your insurance company
Records are stored in our system and recall is quick.
How Do We Take Digital X-Rays?
Types Of Digital X-Rays
Bitewing
You’ll bite down on a special paper. The x-ray shows us how well your teeth match up. It’s ideal for detecting cavities in between teeth.
Periapical
The focus of this x-ray is on two complete teeth, crown to root.
Why do I need dental x-rays?
Dental x-rays are a tool for us to see things we couldn’t see otherwise. Dr. King can see a lot of things just by looking in your mouth, but x-rays give a whole other level of information that a dentist feels blind without having. Looking tells part of the story, x-rays tell part of the story, your symptoms tell part of the story, yet there are still things that can remain unseen. When your dentist is trying to make the most accurate diagnosis possible to come up with the best treatment, any additional information can be helpful. Dentists rely heavily on x-rays to help make the best decisions. But also know that x-rays don’t show all things. Many patients are surprised to learn that a fractured tooth may not show the fracture in an x-ray. Cavities will only show in an x-ray once they reach a certain size. On the other hand, we can often see a cavity in an x-ray long before it gives a patient any symptoms of sensitivity and it is not uncommon to find abscesses that patients were unaware of at the tips of roots in x-rays. Even if Dr. King can see what looks like a small surface cavity on a tooth, he will ask for an x-ray before doing the filling to make sure that no other surfaces of the same teeth need to also be worked on while the tooth is numb or to check for any unexpected abscess before beginning. We would hate to do a perfectly good filling on one part of a tooth only to realize a few months later that you really needed a slightly bigger filling or that the root was infected to begin with. We try to avoid those situations when possible.
How often should I get dental x-rays?
This will vary from person to person. If you are 40 years old and have never had a cavity or any history of gum disease, we will likely not take x-rays as frequently on you as someone who has numerous fillings in their mouth or who has lost teeth to gum disease. But a good rule of thumb is that we like to take a full series of x-rays looking at all of the roots of the teeth and between all the teeth every 3-5 years. Additionally, we like to look between the back teeth about once per year with bitewing x-rays.
Should I be concerned about exposure to radiation from X-rays?
The amount of radiation in dental x-rays has gotten much lower with new digital sensors, and it was already low before that. Radiation is all around us and part of our everyday lives. Even without dental x-rays, you and I get exposed to environmental radiation every day. You and I can’t see x-rays, so we have to rely on what the experts say, and the experts say that 16 dental x-rays gives about as much extra radiation to a person as they would get if they went on a 7 hour plane ride. Yep, you get extra radiation by being up in a plane. Yet few of us stop to worry about radiation when we get on a plane, nor should we. The lead aprons that we use are probably unnecessary (Dr. Bryant typically won’t wear one when having x-rays taken on himself and your physician probably doesn’t use one on you either.), but we still commonly use them because they can’t hurt and it has almost become tradition in the dental field. In general, we want to expose patients to as little radiation as possible and still get good information. All of that being said, the new CT machines that are becoming common in dental offices do produce a higher level of radiation than the common dental x-rays and we seek to have a good reason before taking any of those CT images. Even with CT machine radiation, the risk of issues from radiation are still extremely low yet we want to observe an abundance of caution.
Kind Words From Recent Patients
Daniels Parkway Dental
6900 Daniels Parkway #30, Fort Myers
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As a new patient, I have been very impressed with being able to get an appointment easily, and happy with the efficiency and pleasant atmosphere, and mostly happy with my “new” tooth.
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Let me start by saying the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER! Two different appointments, xrays and filling. NO CHARGE. The Doctor was so kind and did not hurt at all. Things that he told me that I wish others would have been as honest and forthcoming … More as he. Wonderful staff. I would highly recommend this Dentist. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!!
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This is by far the BEST visit ever to a dentist office. They were so nice, explained the procedure throughly so there were no surprises. Starting with my phone call to their office and up until I left everyone made the experience amazing. … More If your looking for a dentist this is the office to call... Happy teeth work
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Daniels Dental and Dr. Bryant King provided a great experience when I had a crown fall out. Getting an appointment was prompt, the staff was friendly, very helpful and efficient. Dr. King and the Technician were knowledgeable, friendly, … More efficient, skilled and gentle. Best dental experience I’ve had.
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Hands down Daniels Parkway Dental gets 5⭐️! The staff is friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and provides some of the best bedside manner I’ve ever experienced. Dr. Shelly, Dee, Amanda and staff went above and beyond to ensure that I wasn’t … More in any pain during my dental procedure and communicated with me what they were doing the entire time.
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The dentist is amazing having professional attitude and always giving care necessary for appropriate needs. The staff are professional as well as friendly, kind and gentle. Positive vibes from all in this dental office! 👍
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I cannot begin to express how WONDERFUL my experience is Every time i need to go to the DDS. Daniels Parkway Dental is the best. They have brought back good ole fashion bedside manner. Everyone in that office gets a 5 ⭐️ review. From the … More moment you check in to the moment they finish the dental procedure. Dr Shelly and Dr King are constantly checking on you throughout the process and explain in detail everything they are doing and making sure you are not feeling any discomfort. This also includes their FABULOUS DENTAL HYGIENIST “Keely” (the best, bar none!!!!)
Fort Myers is LUCKY, EXTREMELY LUCKY to have them in our area (even though if they were farther i would still go to them) I also want to give the Dental Assistant recognition for how extremely well she worked with Dr Shelly they were a perfect team.
So in conclusion if you are looking for a Dental Office and want great work done LOOK NO FURTHER!!!! Than Daniels Parkway Dental Office!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely
Alex Gonzalo. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 -
Dr. Shelly King was wonderful. The best experience. Very caring and explained everything. Absolutely no pain or anxiety. I would highly recommend. The office staff was great too!
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Great dentist office. The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The dentist isn't quick to jump to fillings for children with tiny cavities that could heal or cavities in a baby tooth that's coming out soon. The hygienist … More we see if very respectful of the decisions we make regarding fluoride. They are a wonderful family own practice and Dr. Bryant and Dr. Shelley are so great with our family.
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Had an urgent need for an appointment (my porcelain crown fell out over holiday weekend). Being fairly new to the area and not having a regular dentist, I took a chance & stopped into Daniels Parkway Dental to see if I could get an … More appointment in the next few days. To my surprise they had an opening later that day. First let me say I was so impressed when I walked in to a beautiful bright well appointed clean office and warmly greeted by the friendly knowledgeable staff. Went ahead and took my insurance info (which they are filing for me so I can be reimbursed) and did all the paperwork. I say this because my time in the waiting area I noticed the pleased patients checking out and others coming in. Coming from up north who had a very modern excellent local dentist, Daniel Parkway Dental reminded me of what was left behind. And confirmed by the excellent medical care by Dr Shelly King. Both her & her assistant were gentle yet professional. In a layman’s eyes like myself I thought “just glue it back”, I’m so glad I didn’t try a do it yourself nor go to one of those “doc in a box” popping up on every corner. It was a very intricate procedure taking time to make sure the bites correct. Someone without much experience could have broken the tiny pins my old dentist had made. Or would have easily said I need a new one meaning lots of $$$$$. It was divine steering which brought me to Daniel Parkway Dental. A local family dentistry who’s been around for 20 years and not going anywhere. This evening I was able to enjoy my food and would never know it had fallen out few days ago. I’m so glad I’ve found a dental practice I can trust & look forward to going back for routine care for myself & my husband.
Thank you again Dr Shelly King & staff🤗
Contact Our Office
For immediate assistance or scheduling please contact our office directly at (239) 337-5464. All online inquiries are responded to within 24 hours.