Dental Radiography Part One: Intra-oral approach

In the field of dentistry, radiograph and the use of X-rays can be divided into intra-oral (from inside the mouth view) or extra-oral (from outside the mouth view) radiograph. Ever since x-rays was founded by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist who accidently found it in 1895, the use of X-rays in dental field began to grow as well.

Today dental radiography, as mention earlier, have two components of intra and extra-oral part. But we will look at the intra-oral radiograph on this article.

The intra-oral part are again divided into a few types of radiographic technique.

First; the bitewing radiograph. This view of radiograph is taken to visualize the tooth structures of usually the back teeth, usually taken when the patient is biting on a piece of stub on the X-ray films - therefore, patient is on biting position when this is taken. Procedurely, bitewing is taken to access caries especially on interproximal or in between the teeth and periodically taken as a checkup and follow-up.

Second; the periapical views. This view can be taken on all teeth, where we can visualize the specific tooth and its hidden or embedded tooth structures inside the gum and bone. This view enables us to see the root of the tooth which are not clinically seen outside. Ideally, periapical views are taken when there is a complaint of pain, when doing root canal treatments,etc.

Third; the occlusal view. Rarely taken but the image we can see is usually the floor of the mouth or the palate, and in times can be used to assess the salivary glands and ducts or any embedded teeth on it.

Next Update: Full mouth Series