Radiography

There are three types of diagnostic radiographs taken in today’s dental offices — periapical (also known as intraoral or wall-mounted), panoramic, and cephalometric. Periapical radiographs are probably the most familiar, with images of a few teeth at a time captured on small film cards inserted in the mouth.

There are two main types of dental X-rays: intraoral (the X-ray film is inside the mouth) and extraoral (the X-ray film is outside the mouth). Intraoral X-rays are the most common type of X-ray.

Most patients do not have any problems or discomfort when taking X-rays. The size and location of the sensor placement are a big factor in how comfortable or uncomfortable you will be. The size of your mouth is also a factor because if you have a small mouth, it makes placing the sensor a little more challenging.

On an X-ray, a dentist can see the enamel or outer covering of the tooth, the underlying dentin layer, and the pulp chamber where nerve tissue resides inside the tooth. Typically, your dentist may recommend taking X-rays as often as every six months to spot problems in your teeth, gums, and jaws early on.