X-Ray and onsite OPG

A hole may be detected in the mouth but without an x-ray there is no way of knowing the size of the cavity.

If the cavity is bigger than expected it may have already reached the nerve of the tooth. If it has already reached the nerve root canal treatment will need to be completed. X-rays also allow us to be able to detect holes that are starting in-between the teeth that are not visible to the dentist in the mouth. This means that a filling can be completed before the cavity gets bigger in size. X-rays not only show holes but also the level of your bone around your teeth, this is important as gum disease effects the bone supporting the teeth. If gum disease is detected on the x-rays it makes it easier to be able clean all the plaque that is causing the bone to shrink away. 

What is an OPG?

An orthopantomogram or OPG for short is another type of x-ray that is taken. An OPG is a wide view x-ray that captures all your teeth in one x-ray. This x-ray is great for showing the number of teeth as well as the position of them. When children have this x-ray done you are also able to see the growth and position of the adult teeth that have not yet erupted. This x-ray may be taken for multiple reasons, the most common being orthodontics or wisdom teeth. An OPG also allows us to see the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), sinus, the trigeminal nerve and the inferior alveolar nerve.