The first step for the patient, who presents for an examination, is obtaining the anamnesis (patient history). Then, the intraoral examination of the patient is performed and required radiological imaging to assist diagnosis is ordered by the physician. The requirements are set upon this information, and the treatment is started accordingly.
General complaints of dental patients to present to a dentist
- Pain / Ache
- Swelling
- Tooth loss (prosthetic requirement)
- Bad breath
- Dryness of the mouth
- Burns, ulcer, wounds inside the mouth
- Bad taste in the mouth
- Loose tooth
- Inability to open mouth
- Swelling inside the mouth, at the chin or facial swelling
- Esthetical reasons
- Delayed tooth eruption
X-Ray – Panoramic and Periapical X-Ray
These are the most common radiological examination methods used to assist the dentist during the diagnosis process. A panoramic x-ray is a dental radiological method, which creates the possibility to observe the teeth located in both lower and upper jaw in two-dimensional integrity for a general evaluation of the patient. This method is performed safely, thanks to the features such as adjustable beam dose, set according to the patients’ age, gender and bone density, and technological innovations such as Fast scan time and multi-scan mode.
The healthcare quality of both patients and staff are preserved by the periodical inspections of the Turkish atomic energy authority at our clinics. Protective lead aprons and thyroid covers are routine protective precautions. Radiation measurement dosimeters monthly measure the radiation level of both staff and the clinics.
The dentist may obtain radiological images from one or several specific teeth by a periapical x-ray method to get detailed imaging of a particular area. Sometimes, a smaller x-ray is performed to observe the instrument’s status inside the root canal or set the intended canal depth for root canal treatment.
While the X-Ray images were developed in tanks by hand, nowadays, this technology became digitalised. The images can be directly observed on the computer screen.
Computerised tomography imaging is involved in conditions that require further diagnosis methods. Tomographic imaging is preferred for three-dimensional evaluation of anatomical structures for conditions such as implants or pathological findings. The appliance used as a guide for dental implant production is also created according to sensitive tomographic measurements.
The cephalometric x-ray method is used in orthodontics.