Types of Dental X-Rays: Bitewing, Periapical, Panoramic and 3D
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A plain-language guide to the main kinds of dental X-rays, what each one shows, and when your dentist might recommend them.
Not all dental X-rays are the same. Different types show different parts of your mouth, and your dentist chooses the one that answers the question at hand.
Bitewing X-rays
Bitewings show the upper and lower back teeth together. They're especially helpful for spotting cavities between teeth and checking the bone level around them.
Periapical X-rays
These show an entire tooth from crown to root, along with the surrounding bone. We may use them when there is pain, an infection concern or a question about a tooth's root.
Panoramic X-rays
A panoramic image captures the whole mouth in one view, including the jaws and wisdom teeth. It helps with:
- Checking wisdom teeth still under the gum
- Looking at overall jaw and tooth position
- Early planning for treatment
Cone Beam 3D imaging
Cone Beam imaging creates a three-dimensional view. We use it only when needed, such as planning a dental implant. See how it works in How Cone Beam 3D Imaging Helps Plan a Dental Implant, or read our dental implants guide.
Which type is right for me?
That depends on your age, your teeth and your symptoms. We take X-rays only when they are helpful, and our digital X-rays let us enlarge images on screen and show you what we see.
For the dose question, read are dental X-rays safe.