Dental X-rays are the fruits of modern technological sciences that have changed the way dentists treated dental problems. Since our mouths have depths and crevices that are not easily visible to the naked eye, dental X-rays are largely used to get a better view and understanding of the dental structure of a patient. These digital X-rays help dental practitioners to a large extent in planning an elaborate treatment plan for patients.
Traditional 2D X-rays
You might have undergone a simple 2D X-ray, requested by your dentist in Winnipeg, to analyze an infected tooth or to understand what type of orthodontic treatment you require. A 2D X-ray is a digital image created on a screen by sending radiation through the body. In dentistry, digital X-rays can be of two types:
1. Intraoral X-ray - This type of X-ray captures images of the insides of the mouth to get a clear view of the teeth and surrounding structures. They are mainly used to detect cavities, abnormal growths, bone loss surrounding teeth, or to analyze the development of teeth in a child. The different types of intraoral X-Rays are:
● Bitewing X-ray - To capture images of upper and lower teeth of one region of the mouth.
● Periapical X-ray - To capture detailed images of a tooth from the roots to the tip.
● Occlusal X-ray - To understand the placement of an entire arch of teeth.
2. Extraoral X-rays - These X-rays provide a clear view of the jawbone and skull to treat anomalies such as salivary gland problems, cysts and tumors, and others. The types of extraoral X-rays are:
● Panoramic
● Cone Beam CT
● Tomograms
● Cephalometric Projections
● Sialogram
State-of-The-Art 3D X-rays
As the name suggests, this technology produces 3D images of the mouth that look similar to a CT scan. They are immensely helpful to a dentist in determining the exact dental problem by creating a better understanding of the entire oral structure. It is a convenient mode of X-ray as no prior preparation is required to conduct it. The patient sits comfortably in the X-ray chair as the machine revolves around their head capturing 3D images and other data.
This ground-breaking technology may be used for various purposes by a dentist near you, namely:
1. Orthodontic treatments.
2. Reconstruction surgeries.
3. Bone grafting.
4. A root canal.
5. Evaluation of TMJ disorder.
6. Evaluation of sinus or nasal cavity disorders.
2D X-ray vs 3D X-ray
If you have been requested by your dentist to get an X-ray of your mouth conducted at a place for digital X-rays near you, you might want to evaluate the two types available. By far, 3D X-rays are highly superior to 2D X-rays as they provide a much clearer and detailed view of the oral cavity and the surrounding structures. It aids in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of any dental problem.
Here we have enlisted some of the benefits of a 3D X-ray:
1. 3D digital X-rays transmit very little radiation compared to conventional 2D X-rays and hence, are safer.
2. Since 3D X-rays provide more in-depth data, it allows dentists to make a better plan of treatment.
3. 3D X-rays take merely 14-20 seconds to gather data and the computer takes about 7 minutes to convert them into images. Traditional 2D X-rays take much longer.
4. The data is stored in a digital intangible format in the case of 3D X-rays, whereas 2D X-rays produce films that are cumbersome to store and use.
5. The images constructed by 3D X-rays are clear and easy to understand for patients to get a clear idea of their problem.
With the constant technological advancements happening all around us, it makes perfect sense to make the best use of these technologies to better our lives and resolve medical problems in a faster and more effective manner. At Polo Park Dental, our team offers provisions for the best-in-class digital X-rays in Winnipeg to make sure you get the best dental treatments possible.