What are dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays (radiographs) are internal images of your teeth and jaws. Dentists use X-rays to examine structures they can’t see during the oral checkup, like your jawbone, nerves, sinuses and teeth roots.
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What can dental X-rays detect?

Dental X-rays help the dentists to diagnose a wide range of oral health issues such as:
  • Cavities, especially small areas of decay between teeth
  • Decay beneath existing fillings or crown and bridge
  • Bone loss in your jaw
  • Areas of infection
  • The position of unerupted or impacted teeth
  • Abscessed teeth (infection at the root of your tooth or between your gums and your tooth)
  • Cysts and some types of oral tumours
Dental X Ray photo
Dental X Ray photo
Dentists also use X-rays to help determine your eligibility for below treatments:
  • Dental Implants
  • Orthodontics
  • Dentures
After certain procedures such as bone grafting, sinus lifting and root canal treatment, dentists will take x-rays to check your healing conditions.

Types of Dental X-Rays

Orthopantomogram (OPG) Icon

Orthopantomogram (OPG)

It is a panoramic scanning dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw, showing a broad view of your dental wellbeing by including the jaws, nasal area, sinuses, and teeth. OPG X-ray is usually taken to diagnose cavities or impacted teeth, infections, wisdom teeth, development of child’s jaw and teeth.
Lateral Cephalogram Icon

Lateral Cephalogram

Lateral Cephalogram generates a side view of the head that can provide important information about the teeth and jaw which shows the facial structure, bone, and soft tissue. Dentists primarily use it to study the relation of your teeth to your jaw, assess problems in alignment or growth patterns during orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. It is used to observe jaw alignment and also assess the aetiology of malocclusion - to determine whether the malocclusion is due to skeletal relationship, dental relationship or both.

If you are looking for orthodontics treatment, you will most likely have to take Lateral Cephalogram alongside the OPG X-ray. For example, if you have an overbite or underbite, these images will provide better detail and allow the dentist to develop the best approach for your needs.
Periapical (PA) Icon

Periapical
(PA)

Periapical radiographs are an x-ray type used to target specific teeth of concern. They show the entire tooth, from the crown to the end of the root and the bones that support the tooth. It is usually used in finding dental problems below the gum line or in the jaw, such as impacted teeth, abscesses, and bone changes linked to some diseases. It is primarily used for root canal treatment.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Icon

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

As part of our commitment to using the latest technology for your comfort, we use CBCT 3D scan image of your oral to design the best treatment plan for you. CBCT x-ray allows several hundreds images from different angles to be produced in just one capture. This images then reconstruct a 3D image of your teeth, mouth, jaw, neck, ears, nose and throats. Since a CBCT scan shows all your bones, nerves, and soft tissues in high detail, this allows the dentist to diagnose your oral health and plan the treatment approach before we even begin a procedure especially for dental implant.

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