Panoramic X-Rays

Panoramic dental X-rays use minimal ionizing radiation to capture your full mouth in just one image. These images allow us to plan treatments like dentures, clear aligners, tooth extractions, and replacing missing teeth. We can also evaluate wisdom teeth, jawbone structure, and other hidden issues. At our Onslow County dental office, the convenience of same-appointment imaging helps us streamline care and avoid delays—an advantage especially appreciated by busy families and military patients. And because the digital images are saved instantly, there’s no waiting for film to develop—we can review your scans with you right away.

In addition to what we mentioned above, panoramic X-rays are the preferred tool to see the following:

X-rays are a form of radiation that passes easily through the body. Our dental assistants carefully position the X-ray to capture the area of interest. The machine emits a small burst of radiation, which records an image onto a digital sensor. During a panoramic scan, the X-ray tube rotates in a semicircle around your head—from one side of the jaw to the other—producing a detailed image of your full mouth.

Your images are saved immediately in your electronic chart, allowing our team and any collaborating medical professionals to access them quickly and securely. The digital format also enables us to adjust contrast and brightness, helping us see specific structures more clearly. These images are stored permanently for future comparison and monitoring.

Panoramic X-rays are fast and non-invasive, making them especially helpful for patients with strong gag reflexes or young children who may have difficulty with traditional imaging.

As with any X-ray, you must let us know if you are pregnant, but there are no risks with having panoramic X-rays taken; only benefits. These include:

• No radiation stays in your body after a digital panoramic x-ray.
• X-rays usually have no side effects.
• Panoramic dental X-rays provide valuable advanced diagnostic information to create a treatment plan as part of our comprehensive general dentistry services.
• Panoramic X-rays can be used for very young children since the film does not have to be placed inside the mouth as with previous types of panoramic X-rays.

While panoramic X-rays offer broad diagnostic insight, they are best used for initial evaluations and full-arch assessments. For more detailed images of individual teeth or soft tissues, we may recommend bitewing or periapical X-rays.

If even more precision is needed, we offer CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) imaging. This technology provides a three-dimensional view of the teeth, jaws, face, ears, nose, and throat—allowing us to examine bones and soft tissues from multiple angles with even lower radiation and fewer scans than traditional methods.

You can rest assured that we offer only the latest, most advanced dental imaging in the area. Whether we’re providing cosmetic dentistry, restorative care, or dental sleep medicine, our technology gives us—and you—a clearer understanding of your oral health. We love sharing our findings with patients so you can see what we see and feel confident in your treatment decisions.

The innovative technology at Family Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry lets our dentists get a clearer picture of your mouth, teeth, and jawbones. Please call us today at (910) 353-5171 if you’d like to schedule a new patient appointment. You may also fill out our online contact form, and one of our team members will reach out soon to help with scheduling and answer any questions you may have.

If you’re looking for an Onslow County dentist who combines advanced technology with personalized care, Family Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry in Jacksonville is here for you. We’re conveniently located behind First Citizens Bank on Western Boulevard Extension and proudly serve patients from Camp Lejeune, Richlands, Swansboro, and the greater Jacksonville area.