Bitewing x-rays allow our dentists to detect early tooth decay on the contacting surfaces of back teeth and bone loss associated with periodontal disease. They also assess the volume and density of the jawbone for an in-depth evaluation of gingival and periodontal health. Discover the best info about رادیوگرافی دنداپزشکی.
Panorex x-rays make dental x-rays simpler for our patients than the more traditional intraoral bitewings. There is no need to position and disinfect sensors, films, or tube heads before each shot is taken.
Table of Contents
How They Are Taken
Bitewing radiographs are a series of four small radiographs that show both upper and lower molars and premolars on either side of your mouth, as well as their contact surfaces. They allow us to detect early tooth decay in hard-to-see interproximal spaces between teeth. Most people neglect to inspect these spaces during visual exams, yet most instances of tooth decay begin there. By detecting early evidence of decay, we can stop it before it progresses further and causes pain or worse.
Bitewings, also known as bitewing X-rays, involve small tabs we ask you to bite down on while an X-ray sensor is placed into your mouth. Made of cardboard or plastic, bitewings provide distortion-free results, allowing your dentist to examine the crowns without being distracted by gums and jawbone. We are able to take bitewing X-rays more quickly than other forms of imaging technology because no radiation is involved, and they are incredibly safe.
Periapical X-rays, more commonly referred to as PAs, offer your dentist an in-depth view of your back teeth from crown to root tip, helping detect gum disease, bone loss, or any abnormalities within or surrounding your tooth or surrounding bone structure.
How They Are Viewed
Today’s advanced film and digital sensors ensure minimal exposure of other body parts outside the area being examined to radiation, helping ensure accurate diagnostics with minimal risk. Appropriate patient positioning, wearing a thyroid collar or lead apron as well, and complying with established infection control practices can further minimize radiation absorption into other tissues.
X-rays provide your dentist with images of the backs of your teeth and jawbone, enabling them to detect issues like tooth decay (cavities) and bone loss (periodontitis). While bitewings provide them with a good view of most crowns on both upper and lower teeth, for diagnosis purposes, they may require greater detail; in such cases, periapical X-rays provide superior images.
These x-rays provide the most comprehensive view of your teeth and their supporting structures, including root tips and jawbone. A periapical can reveal cavities that might not show up on bitewings, as well as abnormalities within both your teeth and jawbone.
Even though routine x-rays offer many advantages, some patients still hesitate to have them taken due to concerns over radiation exposure and its effect on health. These patients need to know that ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) always applies. By using only what’s necessary to obtain clinically justified radiographs, employing precise techniques, and limiting unnecessary retakes, they can achieve optimal diagnostic accuracy with minimum exposure to x-rays.
What They Are Used For
Bitewings allow your dentist to visually examine areas in your mouth that would otherwise remain hidden, including decay between your teeth or any changes occurring below the gumline. They can also help detect bone loss, which is often an indicator of periodontal disease.
Recent research that compared vertical and horizontal bitewing radiographs revealed that vertical was more accurate at identifying furcation involvement and caries detection, as well as providing better evidence of periodontal and peri-implant disease diagnosis than its horizontal counterpart. Furthermore, vertical bitewings showed greater effectiveness at showing apical-coronal dimensions that are important in periodontal/peri-implant diagnosis.
Periapical X-rays provide another type of bitewing X-ray that displays both the entire crown (closest to nerve) and root tip of a tooth, helping your dentist quickly diagnose any potential root or pulp issues that could be contributing to toothache symptoms. They’re commonly taken when experiencing toothaches so your dentist can quickly assess and address them as soon as possible.
Panoramic X-rays offer additional benefits of bitewings by providing a comprehensive view of the teeth and jawbones in one shot. Compared to intraoral bitewings, this form of imaging offers more comfort for patients who have smaller mouths or who experience discomfort during intraoral exams; in addition, the radiation dose can be reduced by up to 40% with this technology.
Why They Are Taken
Bitewings are among the easiest and most efficient radiographs to obtain. They produce distortion-free images that allow for easy detection of decay between teeth and bone loss in periodontal regions. Furthermore, bitewings provide invaluable evidence of the development of permanent teeth in children and adolescents.
X-rays expose patients to small doses of radiation, so their use must be limited and clinically justified. The ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) serves as a guideline for appropriate use: only take necessary radiographs, use precise techniques, and image patients when positioning is optimal.
A dentist determines the frequency of bitewing x-rays after reviewing its risks and benefits for their patient population. Young children and adults at high risk for tooth decay should receive bitewing radiographs every 6-12 months; those at lower caries risk may only need them every 2-3 years.
Extraoral bitewing capture makes the exam much more comfortable for many patients with sensitive gag reflexes or small mouths who struggle to sit still for extended periods, since extraoral capture doesn’t necessitate biting down on sensors or dental films to capture intraoral bitewings.
