Introduction
X-rays (or X-ray diagnostics) are a way of radiographing the body and making structures under the skin visible. The resulting images of this dental diagnostics can be recorded on special X-ray films or as digital ones on the computer and then evaluated. The radiation dose and also the type of exposure must be specifically adjusted for almost every part of the body, which means that the radiation exposure is different for different X-ray images.
The radiation exposure from X-rays in dentistry in general and especially in comparison to CT is negligible. See the corresponding section: Radiation exposure with CT in dentistry, X-rays are an enormous aid in diagnostics; carious defects, inflammations, bone fractures and other anomalies of the bony jaw can be displayed precisely. Standard procedures in dentistry include dental films (also known as single tooth images), bite wing images and the so-called orthopantomogram (OPG or OPT for short).
Panoramic tomography or OPG
The orthopantomogram is often referred to as a panoramic tomogram and is a radiographic overview image of the upper and lower jaw. All teeth, all sections of the jaw, both temporomandibular joints and the adjacent maxillary sinuses are shown in a single large X-ray image. In an orthopantomogram, an X-ray apparatus is used for the image acquisition, in which a film cassette or a digital line camera can be inserted.
During radiation emission, the imaging unit moves in a semicircle around the patient’s head, thus creating a panoramic image of the jaw. This is done in a similar way to the panoramic image taken with a conventional camera, except that x-rays are used to make structures under the skin visible. The radiation exposure for the patient is relatively low with this X-ray procedure.
Bite wing radiograph
Bite wing radiographs are mainly used to find caries and caries that cannot be detected from the tooth surface. They also provide an ideal overview of the situation of the periodontium and help to plan the course of a so-called periodontal treatment. Even with this type of X-ray, the radiation exposure is relatively low. Ortopanthomograms as well as bite wing images provide a good overview of the overall situation of the jaw, but are comparatively blurred and therefore not necessarily accurate in detail.
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