A Buckhead dentist usually starts with a visual examination of your mouth, but they generally also need to do an X-ray to get a closer look at the situation. Dental X-rays show several factors such as decay between the teeth, bone loss, tooth infections, and severe gum disease by taking pictures of the teeth.
Dental Digital X-Ray in Atlanta GA
Dental X-rays use very little radiation, and the dentist or dental assistant takes precautions to ensure that your body is protected from the radiation. There are several different kinds of X-rays targeting different areas, and they are each taken for a specific purpose. Here’s a look at the different types of X-rays you may need at Buckhead Cosmetic and Family Dentistry.
A bitewing is a single X-ray that shows both upper and lower teeth in the back or posterior area of your mouth in one view. These X-rays take their name from the wing-shaped element that you bite down on during the X-ray. Typically, a Buckhead dentist does one bitewing for each side of your mouth.
Full Mouth X-Ray Series
This is a series of X-rays that shows all the teeth from the front to back, and it includes both arches. To do a full X-ray series, the Buckhead dentist usually has to take several different X-rays from several different angles.
This alternative to the full mouth X-ray series refers to a single rectangular and long X-ray displaying the entire jawbone, teeth, sinuses, nasal bones, and surrounding area, and it also includes the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) or the jaw joints. This X-ray can also show impacted teeth, bone defects, and problems such as tumors, infections, cysts, and hairline or regular-type bone fractures of the jaw bone.
This type of X-ray requires a special machine. You stand or sit, and the machine moves around your mouth. This type of X-ray requires less radiation than some traditional types of X-rays that you can get from Buckhead Cosmetic and Family Dentistry.
A periapical is a single X-ray to take a picture of an entire tooth from root to biting surface. In other words, this X-ray shows the entire tooth from the crown to the bottom of the root, and it includes the bone that anchors the tooth. This X-ray specifically targets the portion of the tooth that is located under the gingiva or gum line.
These X-rays show the roof or the floor of the mouth. It can reveal any extra teeth or any kinds of cysts or abnormalities in the roof or the floor of the mouth. This type of X-ray is larger than most other X-rays. It can be especially helpful if you need to check the development of a tooth in a child.
This is an external X-ray that is sometimes used in dental offices. The X-ray shows the teeth, but it also includes the jaw and skull. These “big picture” X-rays can be useful for showing impacted teeth, looking at the alignment between the teeth and jaw bones, or examining facial bones.