Skip to content 
Digital X-Rays in Springdale, AR
Clearer Images, Less Radiation, Faster Answers
At a dental visit, we look for what you can’t see with the naked eye: decay hiding between teeth, an infection at the tip of a root, bone loss beneath the gums, or a wisdom tooth growing sideways. Digital X-rays let us find those problems early, with significantly less radiation and far less waiting than traditional film.
At The Smile Center in Springdale, AR, we use digital imaging as standard for diagnosis and treatment planning. Patients from Tontitown, Johnson, and Elm Springs are welcome to join our dental family. Call 479-751-8780 to schedule your next checkup.
Modern Technology With a Hometown Feel
The Smile Center has served Springdale for more than 40 years, and part of that longevity comes from a steady commitment to updating our tools. Alongside digital radiography, we use iTero® intraoral scanning for detailed 3D views of your teeth, helping with everything from crowns to Invisalign®. Our Springdale dentists, Dr. Steven Hankins, Dr. Corey Nichols, and Dr. McKown, share a genuine interest in technology that makes care more accurate and more comfortable for every patient.
Our office sits on West Emma Avenue, a short drive from downtown Springdale and the Razorback Greenway, so it is easy to fit a visit into your day. We also offer online scheduling and Spanish-language patient forms. Call 479-751-8780 to book your exam and digital X-rays.
What Are Digital X-Rays?
Digital X-rays (digital radiography) are dental images captured with an electronic sensor instead of photographic film. The sensor records a small, focused burst of X-ray energy and sends the image to a computer screen within seconds, where your dentist can enlarge it, adjust contrast, and compare it with earlier images. Compared with film, digital radiography typically uses substantially less radiation, often cited as up to 80 percent less, and it eliminates chemical processing entirely.
Why Dentists Rely on X-Rays
A visual exam shows only the surfaces of your teeth and gums. X-rays reveal what is going on inside and underneath, including:
- Cavities between teeth and under existing fillings or crowns
- Infections and abscesses at the roots
- Bone loss from gum disease
- Impacted or developing wisdom teeth
- Cysts, tumors, and other abnormalities
- Cracks and fractures that are not yet visible
- Developing adult teeth in children
- Bone quality and anatomy for implant planning
Types of Dental X-Rays
Each type of image serves a specific purpose, and we only take what your situation calls for:
- Bitewing X-Rays: Show the crowns of your upper and lower back teeth together. These are the best tool for catching cavities between teeth and checking bone levels.
- Periapical X-Rays: Capture an entire tooth from crown to root tip. We use these to look for root infections, abscesses, and problems in the surrounding bone.
- Full Mouth Series (FMX): A set of bitewing and periapical images that maps every tooth. New patients often receive one as a baseline.
- Panoramic X-Rays: A single wide image of both jaws, the sinuses, and the jaw joints. This view helps with wisdom teeth, orthodontic planning, and TMJ evaluation.
- Occlusal X-Rays: Show the floor or roof of the mouth and are often useful for tracking tooth development in children.
How Digital X-Rays Work at Your Visit
Getting digital X-rays takes only a few minutes, and the process looks like this:
- A Quick Explanation: A team member tells you which images we need and why, and positions any protective shielding that is appropriate for you.
- Sensor Placement: A thin sensor is positioned gently in your mouth, or you stand at the panoramic unit for a wide view.
- A Fast Exposure: Each X-ray takes a fraction of a second, so you only need to hold still briefly.
- Instant Viewing: Images appear on the screen within seconds. No darkroom, no waiting.
- Review Together: Your dentist zooms in on areas of concern and walks you through what the images show.
- Secure Storage: We save images to your digital record so we can compare them over time or share them with a specialist when needed.
Benefits of Digital Radiography
Switching from film to digital imaging improves nearly every part of the experience for patients and dentists alike:
- Significantly lower radiation exposure than film
- Images ready in seconds, which shortens appointments
- Larger, sharper images that make small problems easier to spot
- Easy side-by-side comparison with previous X-rays
- Simple electronic sharing with specialists and insurance providers
- No chemical developing, which is better for the environment
- A clearer understanding of your diagnosis, since you can see what we see
Are Digital X-Rays Safe?
The radiation from a set of digital bitewings is extremely small, roughly comparable to the natural background radiation you absorb from the environment in about a day. Even so, we follow the “as low as reasonably achievable” principle, which means we take images based on your individual risk rather than a fixed calendar. Patients with a history of cavities or gum disease may need X-rays more often, while low-risk adults may go longer between sets. If you are pregnant or think you might be, let us know so we can discuss whether imaging should wait.
Who Needs Dental X-Rays?
X-rays are typically recommended for:
- New patients without recent images on file
- Children, to monitor developing teeth and jaw growth
- Patients with tooth pain, swelling, or sensitivity
- Anyone with a history of decay, gum disease, or root canals
- Patients considering dental implants, orthodontics, or wisdom teeth removal
How Much Do Digital X-Rays Cost?
Average U.S. fees for dental imaging without insurance generally fall in these ranges:
- Bitewing X-rays: about $30 to $90
- Single periapical X-ray: about $20 to $50
- Full mouth series: about $100 to $250
- Panoramic X-ray: about $100 to $200
Most dental insurance plans cover routine X-rays as preventive dental care, often at 80 to 100 percent. Our team will gladly verify your benefits before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your oral health history and risk factors. Many adults with healthy teeth receive bitewings every one to two years, while children and patients prone to cavities may need them more often. Dentists usually take a full-mouth series or panoramic image every few years, or when a specific concern arises. Your dentist will recommend a schedule based on what your mouth actually needs.
Many dental problems, including cavities between teeth and early bone loss, cause no pain until they are fairly advanced. X-rays catch these issues early, when they’re small and easier to treat. Skipping them can mean missing a problem until it requires a root canal or extraction. If you have concerns about radiation, we are happy to talk through your options.
Yes. Digital imaging is especially well suited to children because it uses such low radiation doses. Pediatric X-rays help us monitor adult tooth development, spot decay early, and plan orthodontic care at the right time. We take images only when they will give us useful information for your child’s care.
Absolutely. Because the images are digital, we can send them securely to another dentist, a specialist, or your insurance company. That saves you from unnecessary repeat X-rays. Just ask our front desk team, and we will take care of the request.
Book Your Visit With The Smile Center
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of good dental care, and digital X-rays help us get it right the first time with less exposure and less waiting. Whether you live in Springdale or are coming from Tontitown, Johnson, or Elm Springs, our team is ready to welcome you. Call 479-751-8780 today to schedule your dental X-ray.