Dentists rely heavily on dental x-rays as a necessary tool in the care of their patients. There are several types of dental x-rays. The panoramic x-ray is one of the common ones. It requires a special machine that rotates around the head. It captures the entire upper and lower jawbones, teeth and sinuses in one shot, giving the dentist a broad overview of the entire mouth.
Having a thorough dental exam is very vital part of your overall dental experience, and having a panoramic x-ray plays a very important role in that. It is usually taken when evaluating the care of a patient with wisdom teeth. Also, it is very important in the evalutaion of patients who has, or have had, TMJ or jaw joint problems, and those who may have had recent trauma to the face or teeth. While all of these are serious oral problems, one of the most important use of panoramic x-rays is to evaluate those patients who may be at risk for, or suspected of having, oral cancer.
At the office of Dr Kerry Johnson, D.D.S. we incorporate the use of panoramic x-rays, which allows Dr Johnson to see the entire structure of your mouth in a single image. We are dedicated to providing the best dental care to you and are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.