Don’t know a periapical from a bitewing? Today’s Santa Barbara dental blog takes a look at dental x-rays.
Panoramic
If you have ever stood in a huge camera apparatus and struggled to stay motionless while an automated camera made one slow pass around your head, then you have had a panoramic x-ray taken of your mouth. These pictures help dentists see everything in one image: the complete upper and lower jaw. These are often taken during a patient’s first visit to King Dental Group. They are also very helpful for evaluating jaw injuries and seeing emerging teeth in children.
Bitewing
Bitewing x-rays help Dr. King see what’s going on between teeth – something that is always needed but impossible with a visual exam. They also help your dentist evaluate the jaw bone.
Periapical
These are similar to bite wings but they can get a clearer picture of the tooth roots and bone. These are often used to help diagnose an abscess in the root of a tooth.
Full-Mouth Series
This is a combination of periapical and bitewing x-rays that gives a comprehensive picture of all the teeth and surrounding bone structure.
If you are a patient of King Dental Group and are worried about the safety of dental x-rays, we invite you to meet with our caring, family-oriented staff. We can explain all the precautions that we take to reduce radiation exposure and answer any questions you may have.
If you are pregnant and need a dental x-ray at King Dental Group, it is important to let Jon King know this before x-rays are taken. X-rays are not necessarily dangerous for pregnant women, but they are often postponed until after delivery as a precaution. If you are pregnant but have a dental issue, call our office right away. We can be reached at 805-687-1548.
We hope you have learned a little bit about dental x-rays, one of Jon King’s indispensable tools in providing unsurpassed dental care in Santa Barbara. Check back often for more information about general dentistry at King Dental Group.
