Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology Specialists

Radiology is a branch of medicine which deals with medical imaging. This means taking images of the body for help with diagnosis and treatment. Medical imaging includes x-rays, CT scans, MRI scans and medical thermography.

It is used within dentistry to take images of the mouth, jaws and teeth as a means of diagnosing dental problems. Maxillofacial refers to the study of disease and injury in the face and jaws, in particular the upper jaw.

So, when you first visit your dentist you may find that he/she will perform one of more of these procedures as part of the consultation. These along with an oral examination are part of the diagnosis stage and are designed to aid the dentist.

If you require a brace, dental implants or a partial denture then you will undergo some form of maxillofacial radiology. This will enable the dentist to see the extent of the problem before planning a course of treatment.

For example, if you have chosen the Invisalign ‘invisible’ brace then your dentist will take a series of photographs and a 3D model of your teeth. This model acts as a blueprint for the production of your aligners.

A specialist in this field will hold a consultant post and will normally work in a dental hospital or school. They will have completed a minimum 3 years training as a general dentist before undertaking specialist training.

This specialist training involves 3 years postgraduate training (full time) for a Diploma in Dental Radiology. A further 2 years training is required, following the completion of the Diploma, before entry to the specialist register.

Dental Specialists Guide Index:

Medic8® Guides

© Medic8® | All Rights Reserved
We have updated our cookie policy to reflect new guidelines. I agree I want to learn more