Your dentist uses x-rays to examine your oral health thoroughly and perform significant dental procedures. Oral health check-up includes the health of roots, gums, crowns, and any implants or fillings. Interestingly different x-rays serve specific purposes; therefore, dentists use particular x-rays based on what they want to check.
The write-up is about different types of dental x-rays:
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewing x-rays can be used to detect changes in jawbone and tooth decay, even the one present between the teeth. When your dentist wishes to have x-rays of the specific area of the mouth, they will request one or more bitewing x-rays. The particular x-ray catches the exposed part of the tooth, sporting bone and half of the tooth’s root, and both upper and lower jaws can be targeted.
How are bitewing x-rays taken:
Based on technological advancement, two different types of equipment are used to perform the procedure. If the dentist uses conventional x-rays, you will be told to bite an x-ray film wrapped in plastic wrap against your lower and upper teeth. On the other hand, if your dentist uses digital x-rays, you will be asked to bite down a little box wrapped in plastic.
Periapical X-rays
A periapical x-ray can capture the whole tooth. The picture of the whole tooth, starting from the crown to the root, is captured. These x-rays are commonly used to detect abnormal changes in the roots and the surrounding bone structures.
How are periapical films taken?
With the help of a metal rod, a film is placed near your mouth. You are supposed to securely bite the device to ensure that it doesn’t move, and you can get a clear x-ray image.
Full Mouth Survey X-rays
A full mouth survey constitutes multiple x-ray images obtained from various x-rays, such as the combination of periapical and bitewing.
Usually, dentists take full mouth x-rays of the new patients as these help them get a detailed overview of the patient’s oral health. Otherwise, this x-ray is usually prescribed in the case of a jaw tumor or cyst. A full mouth x-ray can also help perform significant dental procedures such as tooth extractions, gum, or root canals disease treatments.
How are full mouth x-rays taken?
As the dentist can get the whole mouth pictures using the combination of both bitewing and periapical x-rays. Therefore, the procedure involves performing these x-rays only.
Panoramic X-rays
Panoramic x-rays, as the name suggests, are similar to panoramic images; in other words, these involve taking images of your entire mouth area. The x-ray will show emerging, completely emerged, and affected teeth in a single image.
How are panoramic x-rays taken?
The patient is told to firmly bite a bite blocker, which keeps all the teeth intact, and then the rotating arm of the machine is moved in a semi-circular motion to record the entire mouth.
Occlusal X-rays
Occlusal x-rays help track down the placement and development of a particular section or entire arch of the lower or upper jaw. Mostly pediatric dentists use occlusal x-rays to check the development of teeth in children.
How are occlusal x-rays taken?
The process is very similar to what is performed for bitewing x-rays.
Get The Best Services
Dental procedures need to be performed with great precision to achieve effective results. We are a team of professionals at Nikahd Dental who are dedicated to giving you the best services. Our team performs a wide range of procedures; therefore, you can visit us for any problems. Check our website to get a better insight into our services.
