Traditional Dentistry
This is a focused beam of X-Ray particles through bone which produces an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This gives the familiar black and white images that doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems.
X-rays are a necessary part of the diagnostic process, and not to use them could lead to undiagnosed disease. Without an X-ray of the whole tooth, and supporting bone and gum tissues, there is no real way to detect infection or pathology that requires attention. In our office we use digital radiography for our intra-oral x-rays, which allows us to take the pictures using 75% less radiation versus conventional X-rays. This digital technique also allows us to enhance the images for better diagnosis of any dental concerns.
We also have available the most diagnostic extra-oral, or taken outside the mouth, x-rays shy of a CT Scan for dental diagnosis and treatment planning. Tomograms of the temporomandibular joint and implant placement sites are take to minimize surgical access issues for treatment of both areas. A tomogram is similar to a CT Scan in that it is a slice of the area of interest, instead of just a shot through the cheek.
Views from the side are used to evaluate airways and orthodontic treatments. Views from the front are used for full mouth reconstruction cases, and complex denture cases to verify that the restorations will be level with the eyes and ears when they are completed. This allows us to provide the most precise treatment possible, not just guessing where to restore you to.
(For more on high tech electrodiagnostics click here.)