Dental Examination and X-rays
Dental Examination
Regular dental examinations and x-rays are one of the most important ways to maintain good oral health. By identifying problems early, we can often provide simpler, less invasive, and more cost-effective treatment before issues become more complex.
For new patients, we recommend a comprehensive dental examination with accompanying x-rays. Depending on your individual oral health, medical history, and risk of dental disease, your dentist will recommend examinations or x-rays on a regular schedule – most often 12 or 24 monthly.
What happens during your dental examination?
A comprehensive examination involves much more than simply checking for cavities. During your appointment, your dentist will carefully assess the overall health of your teeth, gums, and mouth, including:
- Examining every tooth for signs of decay, fractures, wear, leaking fillings, and other damage.
- Assessing existing fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, and other dental work to ensure they remain in good condition.
- Comparing your current x-rays with previous x-rays to monitor any changes that may not be visible during the clinical examination.
- Examining your gums and supporting bone for signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
- Checking the soft tissues of your mouth, including your cheeks, tongue, lips, palate, and floor of the mouth for any unusual changes.
- Assessing your bite and how your teeth come together.
- Examining your jaw joints (TMJ) and jaw muscles for signs of clicking, pain, limited movement, or teeth grinding.
- Discussing any concerns you may have, including tooth sensitivity, pain, cosmetic concerns, or changes you’ve noticed.
Intraoral Images
As part of your examination, we may also take intraoral photographs using a small, high-resolution camera. These detailed images allow you to see what your dentist sees, making it easier to understand areas of concern, which in turn helps understand recommended treatment.
Intraoral images can help us:
- Show areas of tooth wear, cracks, decay, or broken fillings.
- Monitor changes in your teeth and gums over time.
- Record the condition of your teeth before and after treatment.
Dental X-Rays
At Grey Street Dental Surgery, we use a range of digital dental X-rays to help diagnose and monitor your oral health. Depending on your individual needs, we offer bitewing X-rays, periapical (PA) X-rays, and panoramic (OPG) X-rays. From January 2027, we will also be offering Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) scans, providing detailed 3D imaging for more complex treatments.
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewing x-rays are small, close-up x-rays taken of the back teeth on each side of your mouth. They allow us to detect problems that cannot always be seen during a visual examination, including:
-Early decay between the teeth.
-Decay underneath existing fillings.
-Bone loss associated with gum disease.
-The condition of existing restorations.
Because dental problems often develop without causing pain, routine bitewing x-rays are an important part of preventive dental care and help us diagnose issues at their earliest stage.
OPG
Panoramic x-rays are usually recommended every 5 – 7 years. These x-rays show the entire upper and lower jaw, teeth and surrounding structures.
PA X-rays
A periapical (PA) X-ray provides a detailed image of an individual tooth, from the crown to the tip of the root and the surrounding bone. PA X-rays allow your dentist to examine areas that cannot be seen during a routine clinical examination.
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography)
A CBCT scan provides highly detailed 3D images of your teeth, jaws, nerves, sinuses, and surrounding structures. This advanced imaging technology allows for diagnosis and treatment planning. By providing a comprehensive three-dimensional view, CBCT helps your dentist plan treatment with greater accuracy and confidence.