View Your Oral Health Up Close With Panoramic X-rays

Do you ever wish your dentist had X-ray vision? With panoramic X-rays in Longmont, CO, they nearly do! This quick, comfortable imaging technique gives our dental team a full view of your oral well-being!

What Are Panoramic X-rays?

Panoramic X-rays are 2-D X-rays that effectively give dentists a comprehensive view of a patient’s jaw, mouth, neck, and head. They have become a standard choice for our dentists to use during routine examinations. In addition to providing a comprehensive overall view, panoramic X-rays can be completed in minutes.

This type of X-ray is able to capture and reveal dental problems in one image, including:

• advanced periodontal disease
• cysts in the jawbones
• jaw tumors and oral cancer
• impacted teeth
• jaw disorders (also known as temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders)
• sinusitis

The patient does not need to prepare for this type of X-ray in any special way, making it incredibly convenient!

How Does The X-Ray Process Work?

• Preparation: During a panoramic X-ray, the patient stands in the center of the X-ray machine, looking forward. In most cases, dental staff provides patients with a lead apron to wear on their body as a precautionary measure. The patient stands, looking straight ahead, and should try to remain as still as possible.
• X-Ray Image Capturing: The machine’s X-ray tube will rotate around the patient’s head from one side to the other. This is the process of capturing the panoramic image. A panoramic X-ray machine sends a beam across the patient onto film or a detector rotating opposite the X-ray tube, as opposed to using film that is inserted inside the mouth.
• Digital X-ray: From there, digital X-ray images of the patient’s mouth will be sent to a computer. Even though the X-ray machine captures 3D images of a patient, it is transposed into a 2D image so that our dentist can view the structure of your teeth and jaw in a single image.

Panoramic X-rays can be used for kids, teenagers, adults, and patients with complex dental needs that require help with diagnosis and treatment planning,

Connect with our friendly and insightful Dental By Nature team to learn more about how panoramic X-rays can help. Schedule a consultation today!