Radiology – Intraoral Diagnosis and Diagnosis

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A good and correct treatment in oral and dental health is only possible with a correct diagnosis. The field of expertise in dentistry that includes diagnosis and diagnosis is called “oral diagnosis”. Oral diagnosis uses scientific data to determine all problems inside and outside the mouth and to distinguish between them.

Oral diagnosis is very important not only in dentistry but also in terms of systemic diseases; so much so that some findings inside and outside the mouth may be the harbingers of some systemic diseases. After the patient sits in the dentist’s chair, their complaints are first listened to. The points stated in the complaint give clues about what the problem is.

Oral Diagnosis is Performed with Intraoral, Extraoral and Radiological Examination

Extraoral examination is the examination performed after the patient sits in the chair and their complaints are listened to; it covers the mouth and surrounding tissues; face, jaws, temporomandibular joint, lips, nose, neck, chin tip. If anomalies are found in these tissues, advanced examinations with tomography are requested if necessary.

A good oral examination should include the gums, palate, tongue and floor of the mouth in addition to the teeth. Any unusual conditions in this region should be noted and a detailed examination should be performed if necessary.

The gums should be examined both visually in terms of their appearance and manually in terms of their volume. If they are red and loose than they should be, gum disease can be mentioned. If a swelling is detected when examined manually, there is an abscess. The findings obtained as a result of the examinations are combined with the patient's complaints and marked on specially prepared diagrams. The teeth are examined in a systematic order.

They are evaluated in terms of gum recession, plaque, tartar accumulation, presence of fistula, mobility, caries, incompatible restorations, crowding, color, number and shape disorders. After examining the teeth one by one, they are also examined in terms of their closure and the relationship of the jaws to each other. The method that will support all these diagnoses mentioned above is the radiological examination.

Standard panoramic and right and left bite x-rays; undetected interface caries, chronic lesions, impacted teeth, problems in periodontal tissues, formations in the jaw bones, overflow fillings, and in children, in addition to these, it provides information about the position of permanent teeth, formation of roots and resorption of milk tooth roots.

After all the problems are detected, which are also supported by the radiological findings obtained, alternative treatment plans are determined very easily. In short; a half hour spent in the first examination leads to a complete oral diagnosis and then to a successful and conscious treatment approach.

A successful dental treatment can only be performed if a good diagnosis is made, as in all diseases. When viewed from this perspective, Oral Diagnosis actually fulfills a very important task.

Radiology and Radiography

Of course, a professional dentist can make diagnosis and treatment decisions with a normal examination. However, with dental radiology technologies, problems in the mouth, teeth and nerve structure can be seen in much more detail. The branch of science in which patients' oral and dental problems can be seen from every angle in 2 or 3 dimensions and thus much more accurate diagnosis is called dental radiology.

Radiography is a technique that allows the internal form of an object to be viewed by using these rays. Radiographs allow the detection of decayed areas that are not noticed during visual examination. Radiography;

• The healing of the tooth is monitored by imaging with radiography.
• It is necessary for planning implant and orthodontic treatments.
• It allows the determination of bone loss caused by gum disease.
• It allows the detection of root canal problems; infection or dead nerve.
• It allows the detection of decay, cracks or other damages developing under existing fillings.
• It is also possible to detect cysts, oral cancers and changes that occur with metabolic and systemic diseases with radiographs.
• With the help of radiographs, dentists can also see the development and growth of teeth in children's mouths.

Depending on the patient's medical history, while it is possible to have an x-ray taken every 6 months on average for adults, most children should have their x-rays taken every 6 months to 1 year. Because decay progresses more quickly in children's mouths.

Adults who have had a lot of treatment in their mouths should have x-rays taken regularly. Because these people are at a much higher risk of developing problems in their mouths. People with gum disease or those undergoing gum treatment should have x-rays taken more frequently. This way, it can be seen whether there is ongoing or significant bone loss.