Head Specialist
Dr. Syazwan Bin Salahudin
Darwin Dental University
X-Ray
Dental X-rays are taken to help diagnose a patient’s problem or as a record for a dentist’s reference. There are many types of dental x-rays & they all have different purposes.
Type of X-Ray:
- OPG
Orthopantomography (OPG) is one of the ways to obtain images of teeth & jaws by using an X-ray. OPG is used by doctors to find out about problems related to teeth & determine how to treat the problematic teeth.
Why You Need an OPG X-ray:
- Identifying the cause of tooth & gum pain or swelling.
- Identify irregular teeth.
- Planning treatment for cavities or root canal surgery.
- Planning for orthodontic treatment (correcting tooth alignment & correcting irregular jaw position)
- Planning & Analyzing suitability for Implant treatment
Advantages of OPG:
- Wide image structure of jaw & teeth can be evaluated
- Patients are exposed to low radiation
- Simple, fast & comfortable
- Can be taken at patients who have problems opening their mouths for a long time
- Periapical X-ray
X-ray of teeth to see one or several teeth at once, including the root & tissue near the bone. These X-rays can also show the beginning of the inflammatory process in the gums & roots. Periapical X-rays are usually taken when you are experiencing symptoms with a particular tooth or as a follow-up to a procedure.
Why You Need a Periapical X-ray:
- Detecting the presence of dental caries
- Studying the health level of the tooth root & the bone surrounding the tooth
- Analyzing the status of teeth that are growing
- Studying the presence & position of teeth that do not grow
- Taken before, during & after root canal treatment (RCT)
- Studying the shape & condition of the root of teeth during & after extraction
- Assessing cysts or wound effects on the periapical area (tip of the root)
- Assessing implants position after surgery
Advantages of Periapical X-ray:
- Fast & easy
- Low radiation
- The structure close to the tooth is clearer & more detailed
- Caries hidden between the tooth gaps can be found
- Teeth the crack can be seen clearly compared to other x-rays