The human body is a complex structure; however, the human eye cannot perceive the body’s internal functioning through the skin. When a person feels a certain sense of discomfort or pain inside their body, X-ray scans are conducted to source the problem and treat it further.
X-rays are a form of radiation that captures the imagery of the inside of your body. It is used for many reasons, especially in the medical field, from scanning for a broken finger to killing cancer cells. It is also used for dental procedures.
Dental X-rays provide the dentist with a clear view of your teeth structure, facial bones, and gums, enabling them to identify any problems. Hilliard X-Rays are low radiation, safe, and assist your dentist in making a diagnosis.
Dental X-rays consist of Intraoral and Extraoral X-Rays.
Intraoral X-rays.
These X-rays show the internal aspects of the tooth. It helps the dentist to monitor your oral health at a level regular oral exams can not. Minor defects in the teeth, the surrounding bones, roots, and gums can be seen. It helps in the early detection of problems.
Occlusal: It shows the placement of your upper or lower teeth. It helps identify extra teeth or abnormalities, jaw fractures and to track the development of teeth.
Periapical: It captures the tooth in its entirety, extending from the crown to the gums. It identifies any deformities in the gum or surrounding structures.
Bitewing: It is one of the most accurate methods to find interdental tooth decay. It can also help see any changes in dental fillings. These X-rays also show your bone volume and density and monitor any changes.
Extraoral X-Rays
These X-Rays show your teeth along with your facial bone structures such as the jaw and skull.
Digital X-Rays: These are advanced X-rays that can be transferred to a computer screen immediately. Each tooth can be magnified and seen from several angles. These images are much more enhanced and require almost no radiation. This helps in the minute assessment of the tooth, which helps prevent the progression of any tooth problem with effective detection.
Panoramic: They display your entire mouth area and are vital in dental implants, braces, and other procedures. They also help detect the formation of any cysts, oral cancer, and jaw disorders.
CT Scan: It provides a three-dimensional image of the mouth and its composition. It helps prevent exploratory surgery by providing detailed pictures so that proper treatment can be carried out. It is beneficial for fractures and extractions.
Cone Beam CT (CBCT): It generates intricate imagery of the dental structures, nerves, nasal cavities, and surrounding tissues. It helps detect and treat jaw tumors, plan for surgeries in the area, diagnoses disorders, and locate the pain. It helps in finding infections, diagnosing cancer, and even sleep apnea.