Oral X-rays

X-rays are photographs or images of the human body made using ionizing radiation. X-rays are important because a clinical mouth examination will not reveal all the information about your teeth. Intra-oral x-rays are focused on the teeth and teeth-supporting tissues found in the mouth while extra-oral x-rays will show the jaws and other parts of the head.

 The dentist take a radiographic survey of your mouth. A full-mouth intraoral series consists of a minimum of 14 periapical films and 4 bite-wing films. Your dentist may also take an extra-oral x-ray known as the orthopantomogram.

 A Periapical x-rays (intra-oral) are focused on three to four particular teeth at a time, they give a close-up view of those teeth from the crowns to the roots and their supporting tissues

 B Bite-wing x-rays (intra-oral) show the crowns of about four upper and four lower teeth in one film. Bite-wing x-rays also show the crest of the upper and lower jaws associated with those teeth

 C The orthopantomogram (extra-oral) is a panoramic (full and wide view) of the upper and lower jaws as well as the surrounding structures

 D Another type of intra-oral radiograph is the occlusal radiograph which shows teeth and bone larger than the periapical x-rays. There are other extra-oral x-rays which your dentist may take if need arises.