Advanced Imaging for Pediatric Dental Health
Panoramic X-rays, also known as Panorex®, provide a wide, wrap-around view of the face and teeth, revealing structures that are typically hidden from direct observation. Like other dental X-rays, they can expose underlying issues such as wisdom teeth, early signs of cavities, fractures, and bone loss.
Unlike traditional dental X-rays where the film is placed inside the mouth, panoramic X-rays are taken from outside the mouth. The film is housed within a mechanism that rotates around the patient's head, making the procedure extraoral and straightforward.
Panoramic X-rays are often taken as a baseline around the time permanent teeth begin to erupt. Notably, the Planmeca ProMax S3 Panoramic unit at Sky Pediatric Dentistry also has the unique capability to capture cavity-detecting Bitewing X-rays from outside the mouth. For more information, please contact Dr. Ashley and the team at Sky Pediatric Dentistry.
Panoramic X-rays are a highly versatile diagnostic tool in dentistry, used to:
- Check for the presence of permanent teeth.
- Utilize the SKY Panoramic machine's ability to take cavity-checking Bitewing X-rays from outside the mouth.
- Check for impacted teeth, cysts, and other abnormal conditions.
- Evaluate fractures of the jawbone.
How are panoramic X-rays taken?
A panoramic X-ray provides the dentist with a comprehensive, ear-to-ear, two-dimensional view of both the upper and lower jaws.
The Planmeca ProMax S3 equipment consists of a robotic arm that holds the X-ray generator and a moving film attachment that holds the images. The patient's head is carefully positioned between these two components. The X-ray generator moves around the head, capturing images as perpendicularly as possible. Proper head and body positioning is crucial for obtaining sharp, clear, and useful X-rays for the dentist. The images are magnified by up to 30% to ensure that even the smallest details are visible.
Panoramic X-rays are a valuable diagnostic tool and are also essential for planning future dental treatment.
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