Digital X-rays
At Centre of Dental Excellence we use digital X-rays as these are a faster and more efficient way of viewing dental issues. With digital X-rays there is no need for film or processing and the dentist can get the results less than a minute after taking the X-ray. Digital X-rays also have better contrast which produces clearer images and use less radiation that traditional X-rays. We use two types of X-ray:
-
Panoramic X-rays - panoramic X-rays take a picture of the whole mouth in one go. They are useful to give an overview of the teeth and any issues before more specific analysis. They can also be used to evaluate wisdom teeth and other less common problems. One benefit of panoramic X-rays is that they don't require film to be put in the mount. Instead the film is contained in the machine.
- Single X-rays - these are taken using a film placed in the mouth and are used to focus on particular areas or teeth.
Intra-oral cameras
Intra-oral cameras can be used to film teeth and gums and broadcast the images to a live video feed on a monitor. Using the camera allows us to get a clear picture of issues including cracked teeth, cavities, plaque deposits, worn or broken fillings and even gum disease. Digital still pictures can also be taken to refer to later.
The other benefit of using the intra-oral camera is that you can see what is going on in your mouth as we explain it to you, making it easier for you to understand the damage and what may need to be done to repair it.