In the field of oral health, there are aspects of transcendental importance for the evaluation and treatment of the patient that would remain hidden from the view of the dentist, if it were not supported by technology.
In order to provide effective treatment, dentists need to observe, with maximum precision, the evolution of teeth, the presence and depth of caries, coronary and root anatomy, the level of the bone surrounding the teeth, and the presence of dento-alveolar fissures or fractures. or maxillofacials, for example.
One of the techniques used to acquire the knowledge we require about each patient, about the teeth and the structures of the maxillofacial complex of each patient, specifically, is radiography, which allows us to:
- Observe if the position of the teeth is adequate
- Determine if there are teeth, such as wisdom teeth, that have not yet erupted.
- See if there is any break or other injury to the jaw.
- Diagnose cavities
- Detect possible bone problems
- Discover dental abscesses and oral tumors
- Perceive defects in dental occlusion
The technique consists of obtaining images of the teeth and the structures that support them, by means of the emission of electromagnetic waves that we know as X-rays. With the images recorded on film, we complement the initial diagnosis, to plan the treatment.
For dental purposes, there are two types of radiographic examination:
Intraoral
Very useful for the diagnosis of caries, evaluating the level of the bone and detecting the presence of possible diseases of the periodontium in its initial stages. In this area of oral examination, the periapical radiography is applied to each tooth, in particular, in order to know its position and root anatomy and the state of the bone that surrounds it. When applied to all teeth in the mouth, it is known as a "total retroalveolar" radiograph.
Extraorales
Panoramic radiographs have been the most used, because they provide a broad and general view of all the structures of the maxilla and mandible. They can Complement with lateral radiography, to diagnose dento-maxillary anomalies and for oral rehabilitation procedures. More recently, Cone Beam Computed Tomography has been used, due to its ability to register a vision of bone and dental structures free of over-projection of structures.
In conclusion, dental radiographs are an instrument for complementary diagnosis, essential in all dental specialties, from the initial stage of diagnosis and treatment planning, to post-treatment control.
The utility is valid for most procedures, such as root canal control, restorations, fixed restorations, implants, cystic or tumor lesions, and dental and maxillofacial trauma.
In Costa Rica Cero Caries we promote a community without cavities, through collaborative payments. The purchase of the Panoramic Radiographs membership gives you the opportunity to obtain a digital panoramic radiograph once a year, or when the specialist requires it, for a period of ten years.
