Digital and panoramic x-rays in London, ON support a safe experience at the dental office
Only 6% of the dentists practicing in North America have attained Fellowship status with the American Academy of General Dentistry. You are lucky to live near one of these distinguished Fellows: Dr. Ashish Papneja of Hyde Park Dentistry in London, ON.
Dr. Papneja applies his considerable skill to detect problems early when they are easiest to treat successfully, painlessly, and quickly. However, even dentists with unparalleled knowledge and experience are limited when detecting problems with their eyes or visual inspection alone. That is where advanced technologies, such as digital and panoramic x-rays, come into play. Additionally, there is no place for technologies or techniques that pose unnecessary health risks in a family dental practice. For this reason, we have invested in only those tools that are comfortable and clinically proven to be safe.
Digital X-rays
X-rays are used to produce pictures of the bones or other bodily structures. These images are then examined by medical practitioners like Drs. Ashish Papneja and Marjan Moaveni to better understand the potential underlying cause of a patient’s symptoms and primarily aid in diagnosing a condition. In dentistry, x-rays may be used to render clear images (radiographs) of the teeth, gums, jaws, and other structures. Your dentist can then use these radiographs to detect conditions such as “hidden” tooth decay, benign or cancerous tumours, and abscesses and cysts in a prompt manner. Conventional radiography uses film to make these images.
At Hyde Park Dentistry, we use special sensors and plates instead of film to make, analyze, and securely share and store radiographs. These digital x-rays are more comfortable for the patient than standard bitewings. The process is also faster, which further enhances patient comfort. Digital x-ray systems are associated with up to 90% less radiation exposure than traditional film-based systems. As skilled educators, both Dr. Papneja and Dr. Moaveni enjoy analyzing and sharing these images with patients. This allows our patients to have a better idea of what’s going on in their mouths and can make informed decisions about their treatment options.
Panoramic X-rays
If you are a new patient or if we need to get better views of areas such as the sinuses due to current symptoms like unexplained pain, panoramic x-rays may be just what our dentists order. This form of radiography is generally good for up to five years and is recommended on an “as-needed” basis. They are easy to process as an extraoral x-ray that is taken outside of the mouth. Like digital x-rays, the use of panoramic radiography also minimizes the risk of radiation exposure.
As its name suggests, a panoramic provides a broad or sweeping view of the inside of your mouth. So, the entire oral cavity can be seen as a single image or radiograph. To help further in evaluating areas of the mouth, our dentists may adjust the magnification of these images by as much as 30%. They can see even the most minuscule of details. That way, nothing is missed. They also provide an invaluable tool when working with patients to determine the best treatment plan as we advance. They’re also an appropriate way to monitor conditions accurately, as the initial panoramic image can serve as a “baseline” when evaluating and comparing it to future radiographs as we advance. While many situations lead to the need for updated panoramic x-rays, we often use them to precisely plan the removal of a wisdom tooth or determine the exact position to place dental implants safely.
We want to see you before problems like impacted wisdom teeth or irreparable tooth decay arise. Contact us today at 226-271-2522 to schedule your exam at our practice Hyde Park Dentistry in London, Ontario.