Smile! You’re On Dental Film
by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
Read Smile! You’re On Dental Film by Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S. to learn more about Grove Smiles® Dentistry and our Dentistry office in Coconut Grove, FL.
We look forward to serving you! Call - 305-858-0505.
These days your smile is captured everywhere and especially by selfies. Just as you may take a quick snap to see how you look in your new outfit, your teeth should have their close-up photo opportunities to let us help you keep your teeth and smile looking their best.
If you have ever been to a dentist, you are familiar with the glamor-shot costume of the lead apron and bite plates you place between your teeth. Then on the count of three, we hear a small beep, and the fabulous close-up shots are taken for your dental team. Today we want to help you better understand the different types of dental X-rays and what each image could reveal. Here are three of the most common types of dental x-rays.
The Quick Shot in Bitewing X-Rays
As you might have guessed from the name, bitewing X-rays are the ones where you must bite down on a piece of dental film before the image is taken. Because the dental film is inside your mouth, bitewing X-rays are a type of intraoral X-ray. Typically, there will be one X-ray taken for each of the four quadrants of your mouth.
Bitewing X-rays are taken to give our dental team a clear view of the crevices between your teeth, which are challenging to see with the naked eye. We can quickly check for tooth decay and cavities in those areas with these images.
The Close-Up: Periapical X-Rays
This intraoral X-ray is a close-up of the dental world. If a specific tooth or area in your mouth is bothering you, we’ll probably take a periapical X-ray to get a clear idea of what’s going on there. Still, they may work in conjunction with bitewing X-rays even if you aren’t aware of an apparent tooth problem.
The HD Experience: Panoramic X-Rays
Has an X-ray technician ever had you stand on a circular platform and stand still for several seconds while a machine spun around your head? If so, you have had the most common type of extraoral dental X-ray – the panoramic X-ray.
We can see your entire mouth in one image with the panoramic X-ray because the camera travels around your head while taking the picture. This particular type of X-ray shows incoming adult teeth and wisdom teeth, including any that are impacted. These in-depth views are how we determine if there’s enough room for your adult and wisdom teeth to come in and if they will come in on their own. Panoramic X-rays are also easier to detect tumors, cysts, and abscesses.
Our Early Warning Notifications
The X-ray types we use are simple, low-risk tools that help us detect dental problems early on, maybe before you have even noticed anything! However, it would help if you came in for your regular cleanings and dental exams for us to do that.
Are You Ready For Your Smile’s Next Close-Up?
Here at Grove Smiles Dentistry in Coconut Grove, FL, we are proud to have served thousands of families over the last forty years. Dr. Stephen Parr continues to look forward to helping you and your families keep your healthy sparkling smiles for life and help improve your health.
If you are looking to whiten, brighten, and keep your teeth healthy for life, call our fantastic team of dentists and hygienists today and let us help you create that confident smile you will love to continue to share.
For Your Health,
Dr. Stephen J. Parr D.D.S.
