Ferguson Dental has a state of the art Panoramic/3D cone beam x-ray machine onsite.

Panoramic X-rays are used to view all of the teeth on one digital film. They also show the upper and lower jaws, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and the sinuses above the upper teeth. Panoramic X-rays, unlike other types, do not require a film to be put in the child's mouth. This is helpful for children who gag easily or who have small mouths. This X-ray requires that a patient be able to sit or stand still for 12 to 18 seconds.

For children and teens, X-rays are used to find decay and damage to fillings, and to monitor tooth growth and development. Bite wings (intra oral) and/or panoramic X-rays may be recommended depending on the age and unique needs of each patient. X-rays are also used to:

1. Check on whether permanent teeth are developing and coming in properly.

2. See if wisdom teeth are impacted (unable to come through the gums).

3. Help the dentist plan, prepare and refer patients at the appropriate time to orthodontists or oral surgeons.

4. Families have the option of taking a printed copy of their child’s panorex from our office before meeting with dental specialists such as an Oral Surgeon (for wisdom teeth removal) or an Orthodontist (for braces). This option gives the patient the freedom to schedule consultations with multiple specialists for opinions on how to treat a patient moving forward without having to have additional, unnecessary xrays taken at multiple offices.

A digital Panorex can also be emailed at the request of the patient or parent.

The Panorex above is from a 7 year old patient. The panorex was taken to confirm our suspicion that the patient is congenitally missing two adult teeth. (lower right and left second premolars). You can see the tooth buds containing all of the rest of her secondary teeth.