Don’t know a periapical from a bitewing? Today’s Phoenix dental blog takes a look at dental x-rays.

Panoramic
If you have ever stood in a huge camera apparatus and struggled to stay motionless while an automated camera made one slow pass around your head, then you have had a panoramic x-ray taken of your mouth. These pictures help dentists see everything in one image: the complete upper and lower jaw. These are often taken during a patient’s first visit to Harris Dental. They are also very helpful for evaluating jaw injuries and seeing emerging teeth in children.

Bitewing
Bitewing x-rays help Dr. Harris see what’s going on between teeth – something that is impossible with a visual exam. They also help your dentist evaluate the jaw bone.

Periapical
These are similar to bitewings but they can get a clearer picture of the tooth roots and bone. These are often used to help diagnose absences in the root of a tooth.

Full-Mouth Series
This is a combination of periapical and bitewing x-rays that gives a comprehensive picture of all the teeth and surrounding bone structure.

If you are a patient of Harris Dental and are worried about the safety of dental x-rays, we invite you to discuss your concerns with our welcoming staff. We can explain all the precautions that we take to reduce radiation exposure and answer any questions you may have.

If you are pregnant and need a dental x-ray at Harris Dental, it is important to let your dental team know this before x-rays are taken. X-rays are not necessarily dangerous for pregnant women, but they are often postponed until after delivery as a precaution. If you are pregnant but have a severe dental problem, call our office right away. We can be reached at 480-428-0040.

We hope you have learned a little bit about dental x-rays, one of Harris Dental’s indispensable tools in providing unsurpassed dental care in Phoenix. Check back often for more information about dentistry at Harris Dental.