Sometimes the most useful diagnostic picture isn’t a close-up of one tooth, but a single wide view of your entire mouth. Panoramic X-ray imaging gives our team a complete look at your teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures in one image, helping us catch issues that might not show up on a smaller X-ray. At Dublin Corners Dental, we use panoramic imaging to support accurate diagnoses and thorough treatment planning for patients throughout Dublin, CA.
Panoramic X-ray imaging, sometimes called an orthopantomogram, captures a single, wide two-dimensional image that shows both the upper and lower jaws, all of the teeth, the sinuses, and the jaw joints in one scan. Unlike a periapical or bitewing X-ray, which focuses on one or two teeth at a time, a panoramic X-ray provides a broad overview of the entire mouth and surrounding facial structures.
This type of imaging is captured using an external machine that rotates around the outside of your head while you remain still, rather than a sensor placed inside your mouth, as with a bitewing or periapical X-ray. Panoramic X-rays are especially useful for evaluating wisdom teeth, planning orthodontic treatment, assessing jaw growth in children, and identifying issues that a limited, close-up view might miss.
Our team may recommend panoramic imaging for a variety of diagnostic and treatment-planning purposes, especially when a broader view of the mouth is needed.
Common reasons panoramic X-ray imaging may be recommended include:
If your treatment plan calls for a full view of your teeth and jaw, our Dublin, CA dental team can capture a panoramic X-ray as part of your visit.
Panoramic X-ray imaging is a quick, comfortable procedure at Dublin Corners Dental, and the resulting image gives our team a valuable diagnostic tool for planning your care.
You’ll stand or sit with your chin resting on a support, sometimes gently biting down on a small positioning guide, to keep your head steady and centered during the scan.
The X-ray machine rotates around your head, capturing a single continuous image of your teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. The process typically takes less than a minute and uses a low dose of radiation.
Once the image is captured, our team reviews it with you, pointing out any areas of concern and explaining how the findings inform your treatment plan. The wide view makes panoramic X-rays especially helpful for spotting issues that aren’t yet causing symptoms.
Panoramic X-rays give our team a complete picture of your oral health in a single image, supporting more informed treatment planning. At Dublin Corners Dental, we rely on this imaging to provide comprehensive, efficient care for patients throughout Dublin, CA.
Benefits of panoramic X-ray imaging may include:
A complete view of your smile helps our team plan treatment with confidence and precision. By partnering with a dentist in Dublin, CA who uses advanced tools like panoramic X-ray imaging, you can feel confident that your care is guided by a full picture of your oral health. If you’re due for an evaluation or are searching for a practice that offers comprehensive diagnostic and restorative care, Dublin Corners Dental is here to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!
