Dental X-rays (radiographs) are images of your teeth that your dentist uses to evaluate your oral health. These X-rays are used with low levels of radiation to capture images of the interior of your teeth and gums.
If you have, then you probably had dental X-rays (also called
radiographs or images) taken as part of your exam. Dental X-rays help your dentist diagnose and treat oral conditions, like periodontal diseases and cavities, that they may not be able to detect with only their eyes and instruments.
A dental x-ray is the common term for a dental radiograph. It is one of the dentist’s most important diagnostic tools, giving him or her a better picture of what’s going on with your teeth than simply looking in your mouth. Dental radiographs work by using a small, controlled burst of radiation to create a picture of the tooth.
Panoramic radiography, also called panoramic x-ray, is a two-dimensional (2-D) dental x-ray examination that captures the entire mouth in a single image, including the teeth, upper and lower jaws, surrounding structures and tissues.There are large x-rays that show the whole mouth, including all the teeth and the bone structure that supports the teeth. These are called
panoramic x-rays.