According to U.S. Surgeon General’s Report; intra oral dental X-ray or intra-oral radiographs allows the early detection of oral lesions, and it is the only way to properly evaluate the support of periodontal bone.
Of course, proper dental treatment plan is based principally on proper diagnosis; in fact, success or failure of any dental procedure depends mainly on the accuracy of dental X-rays taken pre and post-operatively. Therefore, all dentists believe that dental X-ray science is the X-factor for success in dentistry. X-ray film is like the dentist’ third eye; it allows the dentist to see a third hidden dimension (inside tooth and bone).
By definition, dental X-ray image is the picture of the interior parts of hard tissues in oral cavity (teeth, and bone), produced by Roentgen rays or X-rays on photographic film or on a digital disc. The general idea behind dental imaging is the fact that Roentgen rays can penetrate easily oral soft tissues (gingiva, tongue, masticatory muscles…..etc.), so the reflection of these tissues will appear black on the dental X-ray film or digital disc. While calcium present in oral hard tissues will not allow X-rays to pass through it. Areas on X-ray film which are not exposed to Roentgen rays will appear white after the film is developed. The more the calcium content in oral structure the whiter will be its X-ray image.
According to the position of the X-ray film when taking an image; the dental X-ray images can be classified into two types:
- Intra-oral radiographs:
1. Periapical Film
2. Occlusal Film
3. Bite-Wing Film
- Extra-oral radiographs:
There are many types of extra-oral dental X-ray films, but the most famous type is panoramic X-ray film.
The new trend in dental X-ray techniques is digital imaging ; this technique utilizes the reception of ordinary X-rays on a digital disc or casette instead of conventional types of dental X-ray films.
Now, what is the importance of X-rays in dentistry?
Dental x-rays can provide your dentist with a complete recorded image of your teeth, this can help your dentist in myriad ways, including:
1. Discovering the source of dental pain; caries, periodontal disease, gingivitis, dental abscess, tooth fractures….etc., this will help in assessement of the best dental treatment plan
2. All modern dentistry require dental imaging to be performed; like root canal treatment, dental implantlogy, removable and complete denture construction, crown and bridges restorations, even teeth extractions.
3. Evalution of cases which need orthodontic treatment
4. Before and after minor and major oral surgeries
5. Detection of simple and complex jaw fractures, as well as diagnosis of cracked teeth
6. Detection of impacted teeth, e.g. impacted wisdom tooth.
Picture representing an x-ray overview.
