Types of Dental X-Rays

Dentists use dental X-rays to take pictures of your mouth, which includes the tissue, bone and teeth. This helps the dentist locate problems that they may miss during the visual exam. They can find damage to the bones, broken roots, tooth decay and other dental injuries. The X-rays assists the dentists in determining the type of treatment people need.

Types of Dental X-Rays

Bite Wing X-rays

This type of x-ray shows pictures of the top and bottom teeth in one area in the mouth. The pictures show the tooth from the crown to the bone. Decay can be detected between the teeth. If there are changes in bone density, this X-ray can detect it. It is also used to fit crowns.

Periapical X-rays

Periapical X-rays show a picture of the entire tooth. It shows pictures of the crown to the root. The picture can shoe all teeth in one portion of the mouth on either the top or bottom jaw. The dentist can see abnormalities in the root and bone structure.

Occlusal X-rays

Occlusal X-rays are large pictures. They show the entire tooth. The dentist sees exactly where the teeth are placed. The pictures show the arch of the teeth on the top and bottom jaw.

Panoramic X-ray

This type of X-ray shows the whole mouth. The dentist can see every tooth in the bottom and upper jaws. This can all be viewed in one X-ray. This type of x-ray uses a specific type of machine. It can detect teeth that are coming in and impacted teeth. It can also detect tumors.

Tomograms

Tomograms shows a section of the mouth while blocking out the other parts of the picture. It is used to see parts of the mouth that are hard to see because they are blocked by other parts in the mouth.

Cephalometric Projections

This type of X-ray shows they whole head from one side. It shows the teeth in how they relate to the jaw. Orthodontists use it in order to create a treatment plan.

Sialography

This X-ray takes pictures of the salivary gland. A dye will be injected before the picture is taken. They dye is what allows the glands to be seen on the film. This type of X-rays is requested if there are problems with the salivary glands.

Computed Tomography

This type of X-ray is known as a CT scan. Dental patients must go to the hospital to have this picture taken. It is used to identify problems such as fractures or tumors in the face.