Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Q: I am use to getting dental x-rays where they put the film in your mouth. My orthodontist took an x-ray with a machine that circled my head. It produced an x-ray of all of my teeth and jaw. Why take this x-ray?
Dr. Herman's Answer: The x-ray is called a panorex and is taken by most orthodontists and dentists. It is used to look for missing teeth, extra teeth and pathology in your jaw bone, like a tumor. As a screening x-ray it is taken by dentists every 2-3 years in non-adult patients and about every 5 years for adults. Orthodontists and your dentist find that the panorex is the best way to assess if wisdom teeth are coming in straight or are impacted. As an orthodontist, I also use the panorex to check for movement of stuck teeth, other than wisdom teeth, or to assess if the roots of teeth are getting straight or are still slanted.
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ReplyDeleteThis type of x-ray is just the same as the usual, but it uses more advance technology. It is a tool which also helps doctors determine whether there are changes on your teeth, and displays both your upper and lower jaw in the same film. It does not use radiation to capture the images, so you need not worry about any side effects. You can check this one out (http://dentistry.about.com/od/termsanddefinitions/g/panorex.htm) to get you more familiar with it. :)
ReplyDeleteDiana Dickert