Dental X-rays Port Macquarie
Accurate Diagnosis and Effective Treatment Planning
Detect trouble early on in your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw with dental X-rays in Port Macquarie. Treating problems before they get severe can save money, pain and even your life.
Dental X-rays are images of your teeth and surrounding structures that your dentist uses to assess your oral health. These X-rays use low levels of radiation to take images of the interior of your teeth and gums.
This can help your Port Macquarie dentist to recognise problems, such as cavities, tooth decay, and impacted teeth.
Why are dental X-rays performed?
Dental X-rays are typically performed every year. They can be done more often if your dentist is monitoring the progress of an existing dental problem or treatment.
Factors affecting the frequency of dental X-rays:
- age
- current oral health
- symptoms of oral disease
- a history of tooth decay or gum disease
Types of X-rays
There are two main types of dental X-rays: the intraoral (the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and the extraoral (the X-ray film is outside the mouth) X-rays.
Intraoral X-rays are the most commonly used type of X-ray used in a dental office.
These X-rays allow dentists to:
- Detect cavities
- View tooth roots
- Inspect the health of the bony area surrounding the tooth
- Determine if periodontal disease is a serious oral care issue
- See the status of developing teeth
- Otherwise, monitor good tooth health through prevention
There are several types of intraoral X-rays. Each shows different aspects of teeth.
Bitewing X-rays involve biting down on a special piece of paper to see how well the crowns of your teeth match. This is commonly used for checking cavities between teeth.
Occlusal X-rays are done to see how your upper and bottom teeth line up when your jaw is closed. It can also spot anatomical abnormalities with the floor of the mouth or the palate. Occlusal X-rays capture images of all of your teeth in one shot.
Periapical X-rays focus on two complete teeth from root to crown.
Extraoral X-rays are used when your dentist suspects there might be problems outside the gums and teeth, such as the jaw.
There are several types of extraoral X-rays. Each shows different aspects of teeth.
Panoramic X-rays use machines that rotate around the head. This technique is used to check your wisdom teeth, plan for implanted dental devices, or investigate jaw problems. Panoramic X-rays show the whole mouth area — all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws — on a single X-ray.
Tomograms show a certain layer or “slice” of the mouth and blur out other layers.
Cephalometric projections show the whole side of the head.
Sialogram uses a dye, which is injected into the salivary glands to be seen on X-ray film.
Dental computed tomography (CT) looks at interior structures in 3D.
Cone beam CT creates 3D images of dental structures, soft tissue, nerves and bone.
Digital imaging is a 2D type of dental imaging that allows images to be sent directly to a computer.
MRI imaging takes a 3D view of the oral cavity, including jaw and teeth.
Dental X-rays in Port Macquarie
Depending on your age, health, and insurance coverage, dental X-rays may be performed every one to two years.
If you experience any pain or other changes in your mouth, see your Port Macquarie dentist immediately.
Dental X-rays in Port Macquarie
Call us on (02) 6105 9853 or book your appointment online.
We are located at 38 Buller St in Port Macquarie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-ray exams are generally safe; however, they require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful extremely low.