Dental radiographs, commonly known as dental radiographs, are one of the dentist’s most powerful preventive & diagnostic tools. They allow us to see potential threats to you dental health (like cavities) & plan treatment more accurately. There are several different types of dental radiographs, and it’s a good idea to know what each one is for so you’ll understand why we take so many!
Dental radiographs have been in use for a long time. A German scientist named Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered radiographs in 1895. He called them radiographs because he didn’t know what they were, hence the “x”, and the name stuck. The first dental radiograph was taken just 14 days after the discovery was announced. In the last 122 years, dental radiographs have been continuously improved to be safer, gentler, & more accurate.
Bitewing X-Rays
These are the type of radiographs patients are the most familiar with. They are called bitewing because the patient bites down on a wing-shaped sensor or film while the radiograph machine takes the image. These radiographs show just a few teeth at a time and are used primarily for detecting potential tooth decay between teeth that isn’t visible to the naked eye. Most patients get bitewing radiographs about once a year, but patients who are prone to tooth decay may get them more often. Bitewing radiographs can also be used to monitor wisdom teeth and help plan wisdom teeth removal.
Panoramic X-Rays
Panoramic radiographs show your entire mouth in a single image, both top and bottom jaws (or arches, in dentist-speak). They show the entire tooth, crown and root, plus the jawbone. Instead of being done in the dental chair, panoramic radiographs use a special machine that the patient stands in. The radiograph scanner itself then rotates from one side of your head to the other, creating a continuous image. There are usually braces for your head and face that help keep you very still while the scanner revolves around you. Panoramic radiographs are used in orthodontic treatment planning, such as braces, and when planning extractions, including wisdom teeth removal.
Periapical X-Rays
Periapical radiographs take a close look at just a few teeth at a time. Unlike bitewing radiographs, periapical radiographs look at the entire tooth, from crown to root. For this reason, they are often used in diagnosing dental abscesses, which can be caused by infections or decay on the tooth root and are therefore not visible from the outside.
Cone Beam CT
It’s easiest to think of cone beam CT (computed tomography) as a 3-D version of a panoramic radiograph. Just like the panoramic, the patient stands or sits still while the sensor rotates around. This scan information is then sent to a computer where special software helps generate a 3-D model of your teeth and jaws. Cone beam scans are not a typical part of prevention or treatment, and therefore aren’t done on all patients. They are often used to plan the sizing, placement and configuration of dental implants.
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Wyndam Manor Dental Care is a team of caring, experienced dental professionals who use only the most advanced technologies, materials & procedures & whose primary focus is on comfortable, health-centred dentistry. At our community-focused practice, your comfort & satisfaction come first. We look forward to meeting you soon & developing a relationship with you to build the bridge toward long-term trust & successful dental care. Wyndam Manor Dental Care invites you to see why our patients can’t stop smiling!