Digital X-Rays in Johns Creek

Digital x-rays show what an exam cannot: decay between teeth, bone loss under the gums, and trouble at the roots. The image appears on the screen in seconds, and Dr. Bhoompalli walks you through it before anything is decided.

Book a consultationCall 770-814-7600

$99 new patient exam and x-rays for your first visit, including a full set of digital x-rays. Mention the offer when you book.

from exposure to the image on the screen
Seconds
radiation than traditional film x-rays
Far less
results, reviewed with you before you leave
Same day
A dentist pointing at a panoramic x-ray on a wall monitor while a patient watches from the chair

Curious about
digital x-rays?

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What are
digital x-rays?

A dental x-ray is a picture of the parts of your mouth an exam cannot see: the inside of a tooth, the space between two teeth, the roots, and the bone that holds everything in place. Digital x-rays capture that picture with a small electronic sensor instead of film.

Because there is no film to develop, the image appears on the screen in seconds. It can be enlarged, brightened, and compared side by side with last year's image, so small changes are easier to catch. And the sensor needs far less radiation than film to record the same detail.

We use a few kinds. Bitewings show the crowns of the back teeth and the decay that hides between them. A periapical image shows one tooth from crown to root tip. A panoramic image takes in the whole mouth in a single sweep. For implant planning we go a step further with a CBCT scan, a 3D cone beam image that shows the bone in every dimension.

Dr. Bhoompalli takes only the images your exam calls for, reads them with you on the screen, and uses them to catch problems while they are still small and simple to treat.

How long do x-rays take?

A few minutes. Each image takes about a second to capture and appears on the screen right away. A set of bitewings at a checkup is usually done before you have fully settled into the chair.

Do dental x-rays hurt?

No. You bite gently on a small holder that positions the sensor while the image is taken. Some people find the sensor a little bulky against the floor of the mouth, and we can adjust its position or size if it bothers you.

How much do digital x-rays cost?

X-rays are usually part of your exam fee, and most dental plans cover routine bitewings and a periodic full set at little or no cost to you. New patients get their exam and a full set of x-rays for $99. Beyond that, your exact fee is set at your consultation, and we accept most insurance.

How often do I need x-rays?

It depends on your risk. Someone with a history of cavities or gum disease may need them more often than someone with healthy teeth. Dr. Bhoompalli sets the interval for you rather than following a fixed schedule.

Image in SecondsFar Less RadiationNo Film to DevelopBitewing and PanoramicCBCT for ImplantsReviewed With YouSafe for ChildrenOnly What Your Exam Needs

When we use digital x-rays

The exam finds what is on the surface. The x-ray finds the rest.

Not every visit needs x-rays, and we do not take them on a fixed schedule. Dr. Bhoompalli decides based on your history, your symptoms, and how long it has been since your last set. If you have recent images from another office, we can request those instead of taking new ones.

  • Your first visit as a new patient

    A baseline set of images so we know what every tooth and the bone around it looks like before any care begins.

  • Routine checkups

    Bitewings at the interval your risk calls for, to catch decay between the back teeth where a mirror cannot reach.

  • A tooth that hurts or is sensitive

    A single periapical image shows the root and the bone at its tip, where an abscess or a crack would be.

  • Gum disease monitoring

    Bone levels around the teeth change slowly. Comparing images year to year shows whether periodontal treatment is holding.

  • Planning a crown, root canal, or extraction

    The root shape and what surrounds it need to be seen before any of these begin.

  • Dental implant planning

    A CBCT scan maps the bone in three dimensions so the implant is placed exactly where the bone can support it.

Questions about dental x-rays

The things patients ask about safety, timing, and what the images are for. Anything not covered here is a phone call away.

Still have a question? Call 770-814-7600 or text the same number.

Page updated September 2026

Are digital x-rays safe?

Yes. A digital sensor needs far less radiation than film. We still cover you with a lead apron, and we only take the images your exam calls for.

Can I have x-rays if I am pregnant?

Tell us if you are or might be pregnant. We will talk through whether any images are needed at that visit, take only what is needed to treat a problem, and keep the lead apron in place.

Do children need dental x-rays?

Children get cavities between their baby teeth, and x-rays are also how we check that adult teeth are forming and coming in properly. We take them only when there is a reason, at the lowest exposure the sensor allows, with the same lead apron adults wear.

What is the difference between a bitewing and a panoramic x-ray?

A bitewing is a close-up of a few back teeth, upper and lower together, and is the best image for finding decay between them. A panoramic image is one wide view of the whole mouth, both jaws, the sinuses, and the jaw joints, used to look at wisdom teeth, bone, and anything outside the teeth themselves.

What is a CBCT scan and when do I need one?

CBCT stands for cone beam computed tomography. It is a 3D x-ray that shows bone height, width, and density, along with the nerves and sinuses an implant has to avoid. We use it for implant planning. A standard two-dimensional image is enough for most other care.

Can I get a copy of my x-rays?

Yes. They are digital files, so ask us and we can provide a copy. If you are transferring from another dentist, ask them to send recent images to us so we do not repeat them.

What happens if the x-ray shows a problem?

Dr. Bhoompalli shows you the image, points out what she sees, and explains the options. Small decay might simply be watched and rechecked at your next visit. Anything that needs treatment gets a clear plan and a fee before you commit to it.

Where to next?

Book an Exam and
See the Whole Picture

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Prefer to talk? Call 770-814-7600 during office hours.