The most common x-ray is the periapical or intraoral used in all aspects of dental care. It provides a lot of detail about individual teeth and allows the dentist to diagnose cavities and impacted teeth, check the health of the root of a tooth and the bone surrounding the tooth. The dentist can also see the status of emerging teeth and monitor the overall health of teeth and the jawbone. This is the type of x-ray your dentist will use during a dental examination or if you have a dental emergency.
A panoramic x-ray (OPG) is a 2-D dental x-ray that as the name implies is a single image that captures both the upper and lower jaws. It provides a wide view of the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures and tissues. It correspondingly gives valuable information about the maxillary sinuses, tooth position, tumours and degenerative joint disease. This type of x-ray is needed for planning implants, if there are any bone abnormalities, to assess the need for orthodontic treatment or for full or partial dentures. Panoramic x-rays are not good for detecting small cavities.
Cephalometric x-rays show a complete profile (side view) of your head, showing teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures. This type of x-ray helps a dental professional diagnose and plan treatment.
Cephalometric x-rays may be used to assess:
- Impacted teeth
- Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- Broken teeth or jaws
- Position of the jaw
- Some cancers & tumours
- Orthodontic treatment
- Sleep apnea