When it comes to your family’s oral health, what you can’t see can hurt you. Many dental issues—such as tiny cavities between teeth, deep root infections, and jawbone loss—start hidden below the gumline or inside the tooth structure where a visual exam simply cannot reach.
At eyeSMILE, located at 1300 Main Street, our dental team utilizes state-of-the-art digital dental X-rays to uncover hidden dental problems at their earliest, most treatable stages. Dr. Jarrod E. Jones, DDS, and Dr. Christine M. Thomas, DMD, combine this instant, high-definition imaging with compassionate care to protect your smile while prioritizing your overall health and safety.
Prefer to speak with our friendly team? Call our Hays office directly at 785.621.4242
If you or your children feel anxious about radiation exposure from dental X-rays, modern digital radiography offers complete peace of mind. We have invested in digital sensor technology that drastically reduces exposure while providing crystal-clear diagnostic clarity:
Diagnostic imaging isn’t just about finding cavities; it is the essential roadmap we use to plan precise, comfortable, and predictable treatments across our entire dental practice. Digital X-rays directly support and connect to:
1. Preventive Cleanings & Exams
Even the most diligent brushers can develop plaque and tartar in microscopic crevices. Digital X-rays allow our hygienists and doctors to spot beginning decay between teeth and minor changes in gum tissue structure before a cavity forms or gum disease progresses.
Explore our Dental Cleanings & Exams service ->
2. Dental Implants & Tooth Replacement
Before replacing a missing tooth, precise imaging is critical. We use digital radiography to evaluate your jawbone density, measure the height of your bone structure, and locate vital nerve pathways. This ensures your titanium implant post is placed with pinpoint, three-dimensional accuracy for a lifetime of stability.
Learn more about permanent Dental Implants ->
3. Root Canal Therapy
When a tooth develops severe sensitivity or pain, an X-ray is the only way to see inside the root canals and jawbone. Digital imaging confirms the presence of internal inflammation, root fractures, or bone abscesses, allowing us to relieve your pain quickly and save the natural tooth.
Read about gentle Root Canal Therapy ->
4. Custom Crowns & Bridges
Before capping a damaged tooth with a porcelain crown or anchoring a dental bridge, Dr. Jones and Dr. Thomas must verify that the underlying tooth root and surrounding bone structure are completely healthy and strong enough to support your new restoration.
See our options for Crowns & Restorative Dentistry ->
What to Expect During Your Imaging Experience
We design every step of your visit to be comfortable, transparent, and collaborative:
1. Comfortable Sensor Placement: Instead of the sharp, stiff cardboard film packets used in the past, we use smooth, rounded digital intraoral sensors that fit comfortably in your mouth.
2. Maximum Shielding Protection: Even with ultra-low radiation levels, we provide, upon request, a heavy, protective lead apron and thyroid collar for maximum shielding.
3. Interactive, Big-Screen Co-Diagnosis: The moment an image is taken, it is projected onto the monitor. Our doctors can zoom in, adjust image contrast, and color-code areas of concern to show you exactly what we see. You never have to take our word for a diagnosis—we walk you through the evidence so you feel completely confident in your care plan.
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. The frequency of your X-rays depends entirely on your individual oral health, age, dental history, and risk for cavity disease. For most healthy adults and children with consistent oral hygiene, routine bitewing X-rays are recommended once every 12 months. If you are a new patient, have a history of frequent cavities, or are experiencing an active dental emergency, imaging may be needed sooner.
Yes, absolutely! Because our digital sensors emit up to 90% less radiation than traditional film, they are exceptionally safe for toddlers, children, and teenagers. In fact, pediatric X-rays are vital because children’s jaws grow rapidly and primary (baby) teeth have thinner enamel, allowing cavities to spread much faster than in adult teeth.
According to the American Dental Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, digital dental X-rays—when accompanied by proper lead apron and thyroid shielding—are safe throughout pregnancy. However, out of an abundance of caution, we generally recommend postponing routine, elective X-rays until after childbirth. If you develop a painful dental emergency or an active infection during pregnancy, diagnostic imaging can and should be safely performed to protect both your health and your baby’s development.
A visual examination only allows us to see the top 40% to 50% of your tooth structure—the surfaces above your gumline. Without X-rays, dentists cannot see what is happening between your teeth, underneath your existing fillings and crowns, inside the tooth pulp, or down in your jawbone. Skipping X-rays often means missing minor, inexpensive problems until they turn into painful, costly dental emergencies.
Don’t let anxiety or unanswered questions stand between you and a healthy smile. Experience the clarity, safety, and comfort of advanced digital imaging at eyeSMILE.