Digital Dental Radiographs

Dental radiographs, commonly referred to as X-ray films, or informally, X-rays, are pictures of the teeth, bones, and surrounding soft tissues to screen for and help identify problems with the teeth, mouth, and jaw.
X-ray pictures can show cavities, hidden dental structures (such as wisdom teeth), and bone loss that cannot be seen during a visual examination.
It is possible for both tooth decay and periodontal disease to be missed during a clinical exam, and radiographic evaluation of the dental and periodontal tissues is a critical segment of the comprehensive oral examination.
Digital radiography is a form of x-ray imaging, where digital X-ray sensors are used instead of traditional photographic film. An advantages is that produce less radiation than conventional radiography.

There are several types of radiographs:

Periapical view

The periapical view is useful in determining the cause of pain in a specific tooth, because it allows a dentist to visualize the tooth as well as the surrounding bone in their entirety. This view is often used to determine the need for endodontic therapy as well as to visualize the successful progression of endodontic therapy once it is initiated. They are useful for detecting caveties, cyst, bone level and other pathologies.
This preoperative photo of tooth #3, (A), reveals no clinically apparent decay other than a small spot within the central fossa. In fact, decay could not be detected with an explorer. Radiographic evaluation, (B), however, revealed an extensive region of demineralization within the dentin (arrows) of the mesial half of the tooth. When a bur was used to remove the occlusal enamel overlying the decay, (C), a large hollow was found within the crown and it was discovered that a hole in the side of the tooth large enough to allow the tip of the explorer to pass was contiguous with this hollow. After all of the decay had been removed, (D), the pulp chamber had been exposed and most of the mesial half of the crown was either missing or poorly supported.

Panoramic view

A panoramic film, able to show a greater field of view of the mouth. Panoramic films are very useful in detecting and localizing mandibular fractures, wisdom teeth and other pathologic entities of the maxillaries; but they are not very good at assessing periodontal bone loss or tooth decay such cavities or specific details of a tooth.endodoncia u otras patologías. It is recommended that patients send panoramic X-rays to our office or e-mail (dentalhealthcr@yahoo.com), so he can quote an approximation price of the treatment before arrival.