This is my panoramic x-ray taken in 2009, again before any treatment began.
My dentist told me a few things about it. First, it's possible to see how the left TMJ (on the right side of the x-ray) is flattened and short compared to the right TMJ. My dentist said it's fairly significant that you can see that on this type of x-ray, because usually you can't. He said it shows how severe the deterioration is. The second thing he explained was about the indentation on the left bottom part of the jaw (again, on the right side of the x-ray). The indentation is caused by the masseter (chewing) muscle pulling so hard on the bone when I clench. The clenching has also caused a lot of gum damage (recession), which I'll have to have taken care of once everything else is done. Thankfully, I am not a grinder, so my teeth themselves are fairly healthy.
That's all the x-rays I have for now!
Hi Ellie, I was just wondering, how do you get hold of your x-rays? Do you just ask your ortho/surgeon for copies of it? I'd like mine but I don't know if it's the kind of thing the NHS would do. Are you in the UK or America (or somewhere else!)?
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah. I'm in the US (Washington State). These x-rays are from my first ortho, who I don't see anymore. They are digital x-rays and he gave them to me on a CD. For my new x-rays with my new ortho, I haven't asked for copies yet (his are just the regular type of x-ray) but I think I will at some point. I don't know about the NHS, but you could always ask! :)
ReplyDeletewow. Interesting :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply Ellie. It would be good to have them for my blog, so maybe I'll ask at some point!
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