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Technological advancements in medical imaging have taken the guesswork out of dentistry. With the different types of X-rays available today, the assessment and treatment of dental issues have become more efficient and focused. A panoramic X-ray is one such diagnosis tool that helps identify cavities and gum disease accurately. 

In this article, our oral health experts at Dental Specialists of North Florida in Saint Augustine and Palm Coast, Florida, explain how panoramic dental X-rays help improve dental treatments.

How Do Panoramic Dental X-Rays Work?

There are two types of dental X-rays. Intraoral X-rays show different parts of the teeth and extraoral X-rays help detect problems in the jaw and skull. A panoramic X-ray is an extraoral X-ray that captures a single image of your teeth, jawbones, and the surrounding facial structures.

Oral Problems Diagnosed With Panoramic X-Rays 

Without a panoramic X-ray, dentists would have to rely only on visual examination and your explanation of the symptoms to understand your oral health condition. This can increase the risk of you having an untreated or asymptomatic problem.

Panoramic X-rays help identify the following dental issues:

• Decay between the teeth and beneath fillings
• Bone loss due to periodontitis or missing teeth
• Infections like abscesses near the roots or gum line
• Tumors, cysts, or cancers of the jaw or mouth
• TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorders
•  Sinusitis
• Advanced periodontitis

Benefits of Panoramic X-Rays

Below are some of the specific benefits of panoramic X-rays compared to other types:

Provide a Wider Picture

Panoramic X-rays help dentists get the entire picture of a patient’s oral health in a single snapshot. They give a global view of your head and neck and are a standard tool to look for abnormalities such as cancers and tumors.

Enable Preventive Care

Thanks to their improved accuracy, panoramic X-rays minimize the need for invasive procedures and expensive treatments as they detect issues early on. This helps preserve your natural teeth and prevent dental emergencies.

Help Track Oral Changes

A panoramic X-ray once every 3-5 years helps track and assess any changes that relate to your teeth and jawbone.  

Are Panoramic X-Rays Safe?

Panoramic X-rays are completely safe and essential for preserving your oral health. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, digital X-rays use 90% less radiation when compared to traditional radiographs.

Call Dental Specialists of North Florida at (904) 794-1000 or (386) 986-1000 to learn more about panoramic dental X-rays and their benefits. You can also visit us at 10 Saint Johns Medical Park Drive, Suite C, Saint Augustine, FL 32086, and 3 Cypress Branch Way # 107, Palm Coast, FL 32164.