What Kinds of Problems Can Be Revealed in a Dental X-ray?
With the help of X-rays, your dentist can examine your teeth, roots, gums, and jawbone in detail. This means they can also diagnose and then treat dental problems early on, saving you money, pain, and sometimes even your life.
Types of Dental X-rays and Problems They Reveal
Dentists can diagnose different dental problems depending on the type of X-ray being taken. The two main types of dental X-rays are intraoral X-rays and extraoral X-rays, and there are also sub-types of each that show different views of the mouth.
Intraoral X-rays are taken with the X-ray film inside the mouth. Types of intraoral X-rays include:
Bitewing X-rays, which capture the upper and lower teeth from the crown to the jawbone in one area of the mouth. This type of X-ray reveals decay between teeth, gum disease, and damaged fillings.
Periapical X-rays show two entire teeth from root to crown. These X-rays can show any abnormal changes in the root and jawbone.
Occlusal X-rays are used to see an entire arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They can detect problems in the development of the arches and abnormalities in the palate or floor of the mouth.
Extraoral X-rays are most commonly used by orthodontists because, while they do show teeth, their primary purpose is to show the skull and jaw.
Panoramic X-rays show all the teeth in the upper and lower jaws in a single X-ray. These X-rays can reveal emerging teeth, impacted teeth, and tumors.
Tomograms show one layer of the mouth and blur out everything else. This is used to examine parts of the mouth that are difficult to see because other things are in the way. These X-rays can help in diagnosing temporomandibular joint disorder and jaw tumors.
Do you have more questions about dental X-rays? Call or stop by our office at Cascade Dental Care. We would love to answer your questions!