Advanced digital imaging is an integral part of modern dentistry. At Alki Dental in Seattle, Washington, their expert dentists offer panoramic X-ray technology, an outstanding resource for treatment planning. To book a visit for this service or any other form of imaging, call the West Seattle office or book an appointment online.
A panoramic X-ray is an imaging option that captures your entire mouth in a single image. It offers your dental team the chance to “see” your teeth, bone, and soft tissues in context with all of the structures within your mouth.
This type of X-ray differs from a bitewing X-ray, which only focuses on one side of your jaw at a time. Intraoral digital scanning is a superb diagnostic tool, but it doesn’t have the same “reach” as a panoramic X-ray.
Panoramic X-ray systems use a small volume of radiation that passes through your body and creates an image. Extensive research shows panoramic X-rays to be safe and effective. The resulting images are stored digitally, making it easy for your dentist to review them, keep them on file, and transfer them if needed.
Panoramic X-rays are a common tool in both preventive and restorative dentistry. This type of imaging is incredibly helpful in detecting signs of numerous dental health issues.
Some of the dental conditions a panoramic X-ray can reveal include:
If your X-ray does not reveal any areas of concern, it simply remains on file and becomes a comparison for future scans.
There is no need for advance preparation when you have a panoramic X-ray. Simply remove any jewelry before your visit. You wear a heavy lead apron to prevent radiation from entering your body during the X-ray.
Be sure to hold still as the X-ray machine moves in a semicircle around the front of your head. The machine does not make contact with you, and the entire process takes less than a minute.
There aren’t any sensations created during the scan, and you won’t feel anything after your X-ray either. Best of all, images are immediately available, allowing your dentist to review the X-ray during the same visit.
Call or reach out online to schedule a face-to-face visit at Alki Dental to learn more about panoramic X-rays.