By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    bowl of vegetable salad
    Raw Foods: benefits and harms
    November 9, 2021
    pros and cons of the keto diet
    Read This Before You Follow the Keto Diet
    May 18, 2022
    spinal cord injuries
    4 Potential Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries (and How to Seek Compensation)
    May 25, 2022
    Latest News
    Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
    May 16, 2025
    Learn how to Renew your Medical Card in West Virginia
    May 16, 2025
    Choosing the Right Supplement Manufacturer for Your Brand
    May 1, 2025
    Engineering Temporary Hospitals for Extreme Weather
    April 24, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    4 Reasons Why Medical Device Compliance Matters
    May 22, 2020
    What To Know About The Importance Of Healthcare Marketing
    November 23, 2019
    healthcare courses
    6 Supplemental Courses in Healthcare to Support Your HR Degree
    August 20, 2021
    Latest News
    Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
    May 18, 2025
    The Critical Role of Healthcare in Personal Injury Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide for Victims
    May 14, 2025
    The Backbone of Successful Trials: Clinical Data Management
    April 28, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Different Types Of Dental X-Rays Explained
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Dental health > Different Types Of Dental X-Rays Explained
Dental healthSpecialties

Different Types Of Dental X-Rays Explained

Confused about the different types of dental X-rays? Learn what each type is used for and how they help your dentist assess your oral health.

Amanda Glassman
Last updated: April 27, 2023 9:12 pm
Amanda Glassman
Share
7 Min Read
dental x-rays explained
Shutterstock Licensed Photo - 524512954
SHARE

Dentists utilize dental X-rays, commonly referred to as dental radiography, to create pictures of the teeth, bones, and soft tissues around the mouth.

Contents
Intraoral X-RaysExtraoral X-RaysPanoramic X-RaysCone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)Final Words

Dental practitioners may uncover problems that might not be obvious to the human eye by using X-rays, which emit a little quantity of radiation to create pictures.

We learned from Green Apple Dental that in order to prevent, diagnose, and treat dental diseases, dental X-rays are a crucial tool.

They might uncover unnoticed oral issues such as bone loss, tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.

More Read

3 Top Health Benefits of Sexual Active Lifestyles for Men Over 60
Michigan’s Fungal Meningitis Outbreak to Be Investigated by State and Federal Authorities
Digital Dentistry: The Integration Of Technology And Precision In Drill Design
Adhesive Tape Replaces Skin Biopsy in New Melanoma Test
Elective Coronary Stenting: A Case in Context

Dental X-rays may aid in preventing the emergence of more significant and expensive dental diseases by spotting concerns early. Depending on your particular dental requirements, your dentist may choose to employ a variety of dental X-rays.

Intraoral X-Rays

Dental X-rays are often obtained intraorally, or inside the mouth. In this way, dental problems that may have been missed during a visual examination may be identified and treated. Various intraoral X-rays exist, like:

  • Bitewing X-rays: These X-rays reveal the crowns (the portion of the tooth that protrudes above the gumline) of the upper and lower teeth and may reveal cavities between teeth.
  • Periapical X-rays are used to identify issues including abscesses, impacted teeth, and bone loss since they reveal the whole tooth, from the crown to the root.
  • Occlusal X-rays: These X-rays are used to identify developmental issues and find foreign objects, and they reveal the complete arch of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.

Diagnosing and treating dental problems including cavities, gum disease, and root canal infections requires the use of intraoral X-rays. They help find oral cancer and track how a child’s teeth develop. However, they are seldom used since they expose patients to more radiation than traditional dental X-rays.

Extraoral X-Rays

By contrast, extraoral X-rays are taken away from the mouth and may reveal more of the head and neck. Jaw, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and facial bone problems may all be identified with their help. Several different kinds of X-rays may be taken outside the mouth.

  • In a panoramic X-ray, the upper and lower jaws, teeth, and supporting structures are all seen in one image. Impacted teeth, tumors, cysts, and jawbone issues may all be seen with the use of one of these instruments.
  • Cephalometric X-rays: These X-rays are used to assess the location, growth, and development of the jaw, and they offer a side image of the face. Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are just some of the orthodontic problems that may be detected with their help.
  • Tomograms are cross-sectional X-rays of the jawbone that help doctors discover conditions including fractures, tumors, and infections.

Although not as detailed as intraoral X-rays, extraoral X-rays are nonetheless helpful for identifying issues in the head and neck because of the greater area they cover. When repeated X-rays are required, they are a safer alternative to intraoral X-rays since they expose patients to less radiation.

Panoramic X-Rays

If you need an X-ray of your mouth, namely the upper and lower jaws, teeth, and surrounding tissues, you may want to consider getting a panoramic X-ray. Dentists often utilize them to identify and treat a wide variety of dental issues, such as:

  • Panoramic X-rays may reveal impacted teeth, or those that are not erupting normally from the gums.
  • These X-rays are useful for diagnosing jaw issues such cysts, tumors, and bone loss.
  • Planning orthodontic treatment with braces, Invisalign, or other orthodontic products requires panoramic X-rays.
  • Pain and difficulty chewing are symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) abnormalities, which may be seen on panoramic X-rays.
  • Oral cancer: These X-rays may spot tumors and lesions of oral cancer in their earliest, most curable stages.

Panoramic X-rays are faster and more convenient than traditional X-rays since they don’t need any preparation on the patient’s part and show the whole mouth in a single picture. They are a useful diagnostic tool for dentists due to the minimal amount of radiation they emit.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Dental CBCT, or cone beam computed tomography, provides high-resolution 3D pictures of the jaw, face, and teeth. Multiple views of the patient’s head are taken using a cone-shaped X-ray beam that revolves around the body. After combining these photos, dentists have a 3D view of the mouth and may examine teeth, bones, and soft tissues from any position.

While the patient remains still in either a seated or standing posture, the CBCT scanner’s spinning arm captures pictures of the head. The whole thing takes between 20 and 40 seconds. Impacted teeth, dental implants, and orthodontic treatment planning are just some of the complicated dental disorders that may be diagnosed and treated with the use of CBCT scans.

By allowing dentists to see the patient’s mouth in 3D, CBCT scans give more information for diagnosis and treatment than conventional dental X-rays. However, CBCT scans are seldom utilized since they expose patients to more radiation than conventional dental X-rays. Patients may also be asked to shield their bodies with a lead apron during the scan.

Final Words

X-rays of the teeth are an important part of dental care. Dental X-rays may either be taken within the mouth (intraoral) or outside the mouth (extraoral). The teeth and bones within the mouth may be seen clearly in an intraoral X-ray, whereas the head and neck can be seen in a more general way in an extraoral X-ray. 

X-rays provide no significant health risks to patients, although they do cause them to be exposed to trace amounts of radiation. However, dentists use lead aprons and only take X-rays when absolutely required to reduce patients’ and staff’s exposure to radiation. In conclusion, dental X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool that assists dentists in giving their patients the best possible treatment.

TAGGED:dental x-raysdental x-rays explained
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Amanda Glassman
As a healthcare blogger and author, I have been writing about the latest developments in the medical field for over 10 years. My work has been featured on various online publications, including Healthline and WebMD. I am passionate about educating people on how to stay healthy through proper nutrition and exercise practices. In addition to my blog posts, I have also authored several books that focus on health topics such as dieting tips, disease prevention strategies, and mental health awareness initiatives. My goal is to provide readers with reliable information so they can make informed decisions regarding their well-being.

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night? Here’s How Night Guards and TMJ Treatments Can Help
Dental health
May 21, 2025
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
The Secret To A Confident Smile: Top Tips For Better Teeth
Dental health
May 21, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Building Smarter Care Teams: Aligning Roles, Structure, and Clinical Expertise
Health care
May 18, 2025
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
Health
May 15, 2025

You Might also Like

The MT Compass Star
Specialties

MT, Not Just a Modified Tweet

August 13, 2012
diabetes management
Covid-19Specialties

3 Concerns Patients with Diabetes Must Know About Covid-19

May 20, 2021
dentist-tools
Dental healthSpecialtiesTechnology

7 Essential Tools Every Dentist Needs

March 24, 2022
Home HealthSpecialties

Try These Herbal Remedies For Yeast Allergy Symptoms

April 23, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?