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Panoramic & Digital X-rays in Poway and Rancho Bernardo

What is dental Panorex? (Panoramic dental x-ray)

A Panorex image is an X-ray that depicts a panoramic view of your mouth, from one side to the other. This image can help the dentist understand the relationship between your teeth, jaws, and occlusion (bite, or how your top and bottom teeth fit together).

Panorex imaging (panoramic x-ray) uses the radiographic technique called tomography. During a panoramic procedure, the radiation source and image receptor rotate around the patient’s head in opposite directions while the patient remains stationary. This rotation produces a radiograph by imaging one area of the orofacial region while blurring other areas.

Is Panoramic x-ray Required for Dental Treatments?

When planning extensive restorative or cosmetic cases, a panoramic x-ray (Panorex) may be necessary in addition to intra- and extra-oral photos and digital X-rays.

Dental X-Rays Safety San Diego

Many patients have safety concerns regarding their exposure to radiation when taking dental x-rays. We assure you that dental x-rays are a safe and important aspect of your dental evaluation. By viewing the inside of your mouth and all its accompanying oral structures, we can more effectively care for your smile. Concerns over the dangers of dental x-rays are unfounded with no basis in fact.

The high-speed film we use puts out very little ionizing radiation.
The amount of radiation the x-rays expose you to is less than the exposure the natural atmosphere emits over an eight-week span.
Radiograph technicians exit the room while x-rays are being taken because they take many x-rays for many patients, compounding the amount of radiation they are exposed to.

All that exposure could compromise their health over the course of their dental career. On the other hand, having your x-rays taken periodically to assess your oral health is completely safe and recommended for optimal dental care.

Why Dental X-Rays are Critical for Quality Patient Assessments

Without x-rays, Dr. Salami might miss what is going on between, beneath, and under your teeth and gums.
By taking x-rays our dentist can get a clearer idea of your oral health status.
The radiographs also help detect problems in your existing dental work and can better identify receding bone and abscesses. Gum disease and cavities are two examples that show clear indicators or early problems when viewed on x-ray screens. Not only can x-rays help Dr. Salami diagnose dental issues, but they help when providing you with a customized dental treatment plan.

If you have questions or concerns about x-rays and you live in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, or Poway, please call us or share your concerns with us at your initial appointment. As your preferred dental care provider, we want you to be an informed patient and confident in the care you receive in our office.

How much radiation do you get from a dental x-ray?

To understand the radiation in dental X-rays, it’s important to know that all X-ray imaging involves a minimal amount of ionizing radiation. This radiation is used to create detailed images of your teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures. While the exposure is low, it’s natural to wonder about its safety.

Units of Measurement

Radiation exposure is typically measured in units called millisieverts (mSv). Dental X-rays, such as bitewings or periapical X-rays, deliver a very low dose of radiation, usually ranging from 0.005 to 0.01 mSv per X-ray.

Comparative Radiation Levels

To put this into perspective, a dental X-ray’s radiation dose is significantly lower than the radiation you receive from natural sources, like cosmic radiation and radon gas. It’s also worth noting that dental professionals take precautions to minimize exposure, such as the use of lead aprons and collimation.

Digital Dental Images San Diego

When you decide to correct or enhance your smile, it’s often difficult to determine ahead of time exactly what kind of results to expect. After all, a smile is a pretty personal thing, and changing your smile can feel like changing your identity. That’s where cosmetic digital imaging comes into play.

Digital imaging is computer software that allows us to take your digital photograph and manipulate it to reflect the procedures you’re considering. The result is a photo that shows you what your smile would look like after treatment. Whether you’re considering teeth whitening, straightening, bonding, veneers, or a complete smile makeover, digital imaging technology lets you see into your future.

Do I Need Digital Imaging for my treatment?

The process is quite simple. Once our dentist completed your oral exam and discussed your smile goals, a treatment plan will be created. Various digital photos of your current smile will be taken and change factors will be keyed into the computer. The computer will immediately generate one or more graphic images that accurately demonstrate how the changes will affect the appearance of your mouth, as well as your overall facial appearance.

Informed patients make wise decisions, and dental digital imaging offered in our office allows you the opportunity to actually glimpse your future before committing to treatment.