Your questions answered
Will I need an appointment?
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Appointments are preferred for anything other than an OPG. All walk in patients are welcome and will be xrayed at the time, subject to bookings and staff availability.
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Will I be Bulk Billed?
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We bulk bill all eligible services. Please bring your medicare card with you so we can do this. We also accept DVA, MAIB and Workers Compensation patients.
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What happens during a dental xray?
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During the majority of dental xrays, you will be positioned within the machine and required to bite down on a bite block. The rotating arm of the machine will move around your head and capture the image. You will be asked to remain very still.
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How long will the exam take?
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Dental exams such as opg, lat ceph, tmj or tomograms usually take 5 minutes. A conebeam CT scan will take 10 - 15 mins.
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What is the radiation dose?
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At Hobart Dental Imaging we use the latest technology in dental imaging to ensure low radiation dose and exposure to patients. Dental xrays are considered very low in radiation and the amount of radiation is equal to a single day from natural sources. We employ all necessary measures and techniques to keep radiation to a minimum.
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What is an OPG?
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An orthopantomogram (OPG) provides a panoramic view of your jaw, teeth and joints. It is a primary diagnostic tool for dental disease, preparation for surgical procedures and orthodontic assessment.
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What is a Lateral Ceph?
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A lateral cephalogram is an xray taken from the side of the skull. This enables precise measurements to be made regarding the patients bite, and is particularly useful for orthodontic evaluation.
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What is a Cone Beam CT?
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A Cone Beam CT is a low dose scan that facilitates 3D imaging of the jaw. You will be asked to be seated and the Cone Beam CT will rotate around your head. All you are required to do is remain still for the duration of the scan. The vast majority of the effort involved in processing, reformatting and interpreting your scan data is carried out after your appointment. The data we gather from your scan is used to create images which will assist in your diagnosis and/or treatment. These images will be provided to your referrer, in their preferred format. Remember to bring your referral and medicare card to your appointment, as all Specialist and GP referrals are able to be bulk billed.
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What preparation is needed for an xray?
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Prior to having a dental xray, the radiographer will ask you to remove metal objects, such as facial jewellery, necklaces and dentures, as they can interfere with the image.
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For Chiropractic and some general xray procedures, you may be required to get changed into a gown. This is to prevent artefacts showing on the xray. Anything metal will need to be removed - belts, buttons, zips and clips are examples.
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Will I need to fast?
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No - none of the imaging we do requires fasting prior to having an xray.
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Do I get given my Xray?
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This depends on what the referrer has requested. We work closely with all referrers, who each have their own preferences. Most images are sent electronically directly to the referrer, allowing immediate access to them. Chiropractic images are usually printed on film, and some referrers like CDs.
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