Dental Radiology in the Canary Islands

Experts in diagnosis and radiology of the mouth

Dental radiology at Clínica ICA

Over the last few years, the techniques used for diagnosis have improved due to the advance of technology.

That is why in the field of dental diagnosis we have been able to develop very advanced radiology techniques that allow us to know the state of health of our teeth accurately, with the aim of preventing and detecting possible diseases or imperfections.

At Clínica ICA, we specialise in dental radiology. Our aim is always to make a correct and accurate diagnosis and, to do this, we have to develop a suitable plan. Firstly, an investigation of the clinical history is carried out, as well as regular questions about hygiene habits.

Secondly, a general and local oral examination is carried out. The problem comes when these examinations fall short and do not provide enough information.

Dental radiology is a complementary test to any other diagnostic procedure. At Clínica ICA we handle all types of diagnostic radiology tests, so we will use the one that best suits our needs.

radiología dental canarias

What does dental radiology consist of?

Dental radiology is a technique that tries to see in depth the state of our mouth and teeth through a process of ion radiation. These ions pass through our tissues as if they were a type of light. Once they are absorbed by the tissues themselves, they provide us with an image of our body with the usual appearance of an X-ray.

In contrast to general dental and oral examinations, dental radiology allows us to obtain accurate and precise images of our hard tissues, such as teeth and maxillofacial bone.

Only with dental radiology can we know exactly what is happening in our mouth. With this technique we will be able to make the best decision about which treatments to apply and to detect the presence of diseases inside our mouth.

Types of X-rays

In dental radiology, there are different types of X-rays, depending on the area of the mouth we want to explore. We can distinguish between two main types: intraoral and extraoral X-rays.

Below, we explain each of them in detail: 

Intraoral

These X-rays are so called because, in order to take them, we have to place the X-ray film inside our mouth. This way we can take more precise images of the teeth and everything that surrounds them.

Within this type of dental radiology, there are several subtypes, such as periapical, interproximal or occlusal. Let's see what each one consists of:

Periapical

This is a small-spectrum X-ray in which we try to see the tooth in all its magnitude. We go from the end of the root to the entire course of the dental crown. With this X-ray we can also observe the tissue around the tooth.

With the periapical X-ray, we assess possible infections and problems in the bone structure of our tooth, as well as in its supporting tissue.

Interproximal or bitewing

With the interproximal X-ray, we specifically evaluate the crowns of the teeth. It is called a bitewing because we use a positioner that the patient has to bite down on.

With this, we will see 4 or 5 crowns, both upper and lower. It is the best method for detecting interproximal caries, which is why it is so commonly used by patients.

Occlusal

Another small x-ray, in which the plaque is larger and must be bitten between the upper and lower arches. With X-rays we can assess all the teeth and their position in our mouth.

We can also assess the included teeth, which are those that do not appear in the mouth, so they are hidden. This type of radiology is currently in disuse, as there are more modern options for detecting the position of the teeth.

Extraoral

Extraoral radiology is always performed from outside the patient's mouth. With it, we obtain larger images that cover more areas of the mouth. It is mainly used to establish a diagnosis of the teeth and the maxillofacial bone as a whole.

The two most common extraoral X-rays are the orthopantomography and the lateral skull X-ray. Let's see what they consist of:

Orthopantomography

This is undoubtedly the most commonly used X-ray technique and the one we work with most at Clínica ICA. It is a type of radiology that allows us to see the entire mouth in a single shot, distinguishing between dental pieces and maxillofacial bone.

The radiation involved in this process is minimal and it is carried out quickly and with great results. The only drawback is that, as it does not provide a three-dimensional image, it does not allow us to calculate data such as the width of the jaw or the dental pieces.

Lateral skull X-ray

This is the most common type of X-ray in orthodontic placement processes. It allows us to observe the growth of the maxillofacial bone and the intermaxillary relationship.

The projections of Waters, Hirtz and a long etcetera allow us to obtain 3D images, which are very useful in oral surgery processes. With them we can see aspects such as the width of the bones or their relationship with other oral tissues.

    What are the advantages of dental radiology?

    Advantages for the patient

    Firstly, in dental radiology we are exposed to a low radiation process, which will not have negative consequences for our health. With the digital adjustment of the image, we will be able to correct errors without having to repeat the process, gaining in precision and diagnostic capacity.

    Digital development makes the process shorter and the patient does not have to spend a long time waiting during the test and to obtain the results.

    Advantages for the healthcare provider

    For the healthcare provider, all the patient's radiological information will always be available, archived in the patient's medical record. This allows us to always have all the data at hand to be able to make the best treatment decision.

    This information can also be sent to other health centres, so that any other clinic can have our data, in case we change our address or want to go to another centre or hospital.

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