Digital X-Rays
Clearer Images, Better Care
At Rawlins Orthodontics, we use advanced digital X-ray technology as a standard part of orthodontic care. Digital imaging gives us a clearer, more detailed picture of what is happening inside the mouth and jaw while exposing patients to significantly less radiation than traditional X-ray equipment. Both matter: precision in what we can see, and safety in how we see it.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, X-rays are a prerequisite for orthodontic treatment. They identify problems below the gum line that are not visible during a standard examination and give orthodontists the information needed to plan treatment accurately. There are five types of orthodontic X-rays an orthodontist may use: panoramic, cephalometric, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), bitewing, and periapical. Each one captures different structures and serves a different clinical purpose.
We treat patients across Wilmington, Hockessin, Pike Creek, and Newark, Delaware, as well as bordering communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, including Kennett Square, Avondale, Elkton, and surrounding areas, and bringing the most current technology into the practice is part of how we deliver the standard of care our patients deserve.
Why X-Rays Are Essential in Orthodontics
A clinical examination tells us a great deal, but it cannot tell us everything. Much of what determines the right treatment plan for a patient is hidden beneath the surface: the position of tooth roots, the condition of the supporting bone, the trajectory of teeth that have not yet come in. X-rays make that information visible.
Dr. Rawlins uses digital X-ray imaging to evaluate tooth and root positioning, analyze the structure and development of the jaw, and identify issues that could affect treatment if left undetected. These include impacted teeth that are blocked from erupting normally, root length and angulation that influence how teeth can be safely moved, jawbone abnormalities that affect spacing and development, and pathological findings such as cysts or infections that require attention before orthodontic treatment begins.
Catching these things early is not just good clinical practice. It is what allows treatment to be planned correctly from the start and adjusted accurately throughout, rather than discovered partway through a case when correction becomes more complicated.
Five Types of Orthodontic X-Rays
Different X-rays capture different things, and Dr. Rawlins selects the appropriate imaging based on what each patient's case requires.
| Panoramic | Broad view of the entire mouth in a single image — all teeth, both arches, jaw joints, and surrounding bone. Typically taken at the start of treatment. |
| Cephalometric | Side profile of the skull showing the relationship between teeth and jaw, and how the face is growing. Key for treatment planning in growing patients and jaw alignment cases. |
| CBCT | Three-dimensional imaging of the teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures. Used when a standard flat X-ray does not provide enough detail for a specific clinical question. |
| Bitewing | Focused view of specific teeth and surrounding bone. Used to detect cavities, bone loss, or root issues that may need to be addressed before or during orthodontic treatment. |
| Periapical | Detailed view of individual teeth from crown to root tip, including the surrounding bone. Used to evaluate root health and detect localized pathology. |
What This Means for Your Treatment
The practical result of precise digital imaging is a treatment plan that is based on a complete and accurate picture of your mouth, not a partial one. Every tooth, every root, every structural factor that could influence the outcome is accounted for before treatment begins. That is what makes personalized orthodontic care genuinely personalized, and it is what gives us confidence in the plans we develop for our patients.
If you have questions about the imaging process or what to expect at your first appointment, we are happy to walk you through it. We will make sure you feel comfortable and informed at every step.
We serve patients from Wilmington, Hockessin, Pike Creek, and Newark, Delaware, as well as bordering communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, including Kennett Square, Avondale, Elkton, and surrounding areas. Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Rawlins at RawlinsOrthodontics.com or by calling (302) 239-3531. You are in good hands with our Rockstar Team, and we will walk you through everything.
About Rawlins Orthodontics
Rawlins Orthodontics is a family-owned, Board-Certified orthodontic practice serving Wilmington, Hockessin, Pike Creek, and Newark, Delaware, as well as bordering communities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland, including Kennett Square, Avondale, Elkton, and surrounding areas. R. Baker Rawlins II, DMD, MS has cared for thousands of patients since 2011 and is named annually as one of Delaware's Top Orthodontists by Delaware Today Magazine. We offer braces, Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, and early intervention orthodontics for children and adults.
LOVE • LIFE • SMILING