Douglas County Dental Clinic

Dental X-rays are necessary in order to make a proper diagnosis of any oral health problems you may be having. The three types of X-rays we take here at the Douglas County Dental Clinic are bitewing X-rays, periapical (also called PA) X-rays, and panoramic X-rays.

Bitewing X-rays - Bitewing X-rays highlight the crowns of the teeth. On each radiograph, the upper and lower teeth in one portion of the mouth are shown, from the crown to about the level of the jaw. Bitewing X-rays are primarily used to diagnose decay between the teeth.

Periapical X-rays - Periapical (PA) X-rays highlight the entire tooth. On each radiograph, the teeth from either the upper or lower jaw in one portion of the mouth are shown. The difference from bitewings is that in a periapical X-ray, the whole tooth is shown, from the crown down past the end of the root to the part of the jaw where the tooth is anchored. Periapical X-rays are primarily used to diagnose infection.

Panoramic X-rays - Panoramic X-rays show the entire mouth area - all teeth on both upper and lower jaws - on a single X-ray. This type of X-ray requires a special panoramic X-ray machine. The tube head that emits the X-rays circles behind the patient's head, while the film simultaneously circles across the front. That way, the full, broad view of the jaws is captured on one film. Because the machine moves in a set path, the patient has to be positioned very carefully. And, because the beam and the film are both moving, any movement from the patient will blur the image on the screen. That's why such care is taken to keep the patient's head absolutely still in exactly the right position. The machines may have chin rests, forehead rests, and side head positioners, plus bite-blocks that patients will be asked to close their teeth around. All this may look and feel intimidating, but the process is very safe and often uses less radiation than intraoral radiographs. Panoramic X-rays are primarily used to diagnose boney lesions and evaluate wisdom teeth.