Dental imaging is quick, comfortable and requires little to no preparation. Most scans take only a few minutes, and you can book online at a clinic near you.

Cone beam CT and intraoral imaging are available at selected clinics only. Please check the clinic before you attend, or book online and we will direct you to a site that offers the scan you need.

Types of Dental Imaging

OPG X-Ray (Orthopantomogram)

An OPG X-ray, also called an orthopantomogram or panoramic dental X-ray, captures your entire mouth in a single image. It shows all of your upper and lower teeth, both jaws, the jaw joints (TMJ) and the surrounding bone, giving your dentist a complete overview that individual X-rays cannot.

An OPG scan is commonly used to:

• Plan orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners
• Assess wisdom teeth and other impacted or unerupted teeth
• Plan dental implants and other oral surgery
• Check the jaw joints, sinuses and bone health
• Investigate cysts, infection or jaw injuries

During the scan you stand or sit while the machine rotates gently around your head. You will be asked to bite lightly on a small positioning guide and stay still for a few seconds. The X-ray exposure is very brief and uses a low radiation dose. The whole appointment usually takes only a few minutes.

Lateral Cephalogram (Lateral Ceph X-Ray)

A lateral cephalogram, or lateral ceph X-ray, is a side-profile image of the skull, face and jaw. Orthodontists use it to measure the relationship between the teeth, jaws and facial bones, which helps them plan and monitor orthodontic treatment.

The scan is quick and low-dose. You stand still while a single side-on image is taken, often at the same appointment as your OPG X-ray so your orthodontist has both views for treatment planning.

Intraoral X-Rays (Bitewings and Full-Mouth Surveys)

Intraoral X-rays are taken with a small sensor placed inside your mouth, giving highly detailed images of individual teeth. They are used to find decay, check the roots of a tooth and monitor bone levels around the teeth.

Intraoral imaging is offered at selected clinics only.

Types of intraoral dental X-ray include:

• Bitewing X-rays to detect decay between the teeth and check bone height
• Periapical X-rays to show a whole tooth from crown to root tip
• Full-mouth surveys that combine several images for a complete assessment

Each image takes only a moment and the sensor is positioned for comfort.

Cone Beam CT (CBCT)

Cone beam CT, also known as CBCT or cone beam VT, produces detailed three-dimensional images of your teeth, jaws and facial structures. Because it shows anatomy in 3D, CBCT is used for more complex dental and surgical planning while using a lower radiation dose than a conventional CT scan.

Cone beam CT is offered at selected clinics only.

CBCT is often requested for:

• Dental implant planning
• Assessing impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth close to nerves
• Root canal (endodontic) and surgical planning
• Jaw joint (TMJ) and airway assessment

The scan is fast and non-invasive. You stay still while the scanner rotates once around your head to capture the 3D image.

Dental Imaging at Our Adelaide Clinics

Jones Radiology offers dental imaging at clinics across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia. Walk-in appointments are available for many dental X-rays, or you can book a time that suits you online.

Cone beam CT and intraoral imaging are offered at selected specialty sites rather than at every clinic, so please check before you attend if your referral asks for either of those.

You can see every location, including opening hours and parking, on our clinic locations page.

What to Expect and How to Prepare

Dental imaging needs very little preparation:

• Bring your referral from your dentist, orthodontist or specialist
• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment, unless you are told otherwise when you book
• Remove metal items before your scan, including jewellery, glasses, hairpins, dentures and plates, as these can affect the image
• Let our team know if you are or may be pregnant
• Allow a few minutes for the appointment, as most dental X-rays are completed quickly

Your images are reviewed by our radiologists and the results are sent to your referring practitioner.

Our Patient Care page has additional information about patient safety.

Dental Imaging FAQs