Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make an appointment?
We recommend you do make an appointment so that you do not have to wait long when you visit one of our imaging centers. However, walk-in and same-day appointments are often available.
Scheduling an appointment will also allow us to quote you a fee and give you an estimate for the appointment duration.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Payment is due at the time of service unless your referral is marked “Bill Doctor.” We accept cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and CareCredit financing.
Can I get x-rays without a referral?
No. Under California law, no x-ray can be taken unless you have a prescription from your referring doctor.
Does my insurance cover the procedure?
C-Dental X-Ray does not guarantee that insurance carriers will reimburse imaging costs. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider regarding coverage and eligibility before their appointment. When scheduling the appointment, ask us for the insurance code(s).
For all Dental insurance carriers, C-Dental assists patients with the filing of insurance claims. C-Dental will fill out an insurance claim with the correct procedure codes. All insurance payments will be made to the patient directly from the insurance carrier. It is the responsibility of the patient to follow-up with their insurance carriers.
Can I get a copy of my x-rays?
Yes. At the time of your appointment, let the Office Coordinator know that you would like a copy of your images. We can email the images at no charge or provide a disc. Paper copies are subject to an additional fee.
If you are requesting a copy of your x-rays after the time of your appointment, please fill out the Patient HIPAA Release Form under the Information tab in the top menu.
Can you send my x-rays to another doctor?
Yes. We can email your x-rays through our HIPAA compliant cloud storage system. Please fill out the Patient HIPAA Release Form.
Why are dental x-rays important?
Because many diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues cannot be seen when your dentist examines your mouth, an X-ray examination can help reveal:
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Small areas of decay between the teeth or below existing restorations (fillings)
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Infections in the bone
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Periodontal (gum) disease
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Abscesses or cysts
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Developmental abnormalities
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Some types of tumors
Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save time, money and unnecessary discomfort. Radiographs can help your doctor detect problems in your mouth that otherwise would not be seen.
Can I take an x-ray if I'm pregnant?
Please notify us if you believe you may be pregnant.
A release of liability form will need to be signed before proceeding.
How do dental x-rays compare to other sources of radiation?
The amount of radiation that we are exposed to from dental X-rays is very small compared to our daily exposure from things like, cosmic radiation and naturally-occurring radioactive elements (for example, those producing radon).
The table below compares our estimated exposure to radiation from dental X-ray with other various sources. As indicated below, a microsievert is a unit of measure that allows for some comparison between radiation sources that expose the entire body (such as natural background radiation) and those that only expose a portion of the body (such as X-rays).
What is CBCT and why do I need it?
Dental cone beam computed tomography (CT) is a special type of x-ray equipment used when regular dental or facial x-rays are not sufficient. Your doctor may use this technology to produce three dimensional (3-D) images of your teeth, soft tissues, nerve pathways and bone in a single scan.
What is a 3D intraoral scan?
A 3D intraoral scan is a digital impression of a patient's teeth and gums captured by a small, handheld wand-like scanner that a dentist moves inside the mouth. This is not an x-ray. It can be merged to an 3D X-ray to create a surgical plan and fabricate a surgical guide.
What is a surgical guide and why does it benefit me as a patient?
A surgical guide is a medical device that is 3D-printed and based off of a CBCT and 3D intraoral scan and is custom-made for a specific patient. It is used to accurately assist in immediate placement of an implant in the bone structure. Some benefits include:
- Proven to be accurate and safe
- Custom made for a perfect fit
- Smaller incisions with less pain
- Shorter operation time
- Shorter recovery
What is treatment planning?
Once C-Dental has forwarded your scans to prescribing office, it is the doctor’s turn to use this information to plan a course of treatment. This could be anything from correcting a bite to replacing missing teeth. The doctor can then present this treatment plan to you, the patient, for review and approval before moving forward.
How does a wax-up fit into my treatment plan?
A dental diagnostic wax-up offers a simulation of the procedure you're about to have. It's essentially a model of what your dental work is going to look like. The wax-up helps guide your dentist during a bridge implant or other procedure. The dentist will use the wax-up as a guide to show where the implants need to be placed.
Why do I need to remove my jewelry?
Because metal may distort the diagnostic quality of your x-rays. We ask that you please remove all jewelry, piercings and hair pins before imaging