The purpose of a pre-operative xray of the wisdom tooth is to allow the dentist to assess:
- The presence and extent of any decay.
- The amount of bone surrounding the tooth.
- The bone density.
- The wisdom tooth position and degree of impaction.
- The number of roots present.
- The root form and curvature.
- The proximity of the tooth or roots to any vital structures (such as the maxillary sinus, the inferior alveolar canal).
- The presence of cystic change or other intrabony lesions related to the wisdom tooth.
These factors will influence the complexity, surgical risks and potential complications of the wisdom tooth extraction. Each case has to be assessed individually and you should be counselled on the particular risks of your case pre-operatively.
If the initial xray is of poor quality or is out of date, then the information that can be obtained will be substandard. To ensure proper pre-operative planning, a 2nd xray of the same type may be ordered, or a 3D xray (known as a cone-beam computed tomogram, or CBCT) may be ordered for cases with more complex presentation (roots in close proximity to the sinus or to the inferior alveolar canal).
High quality appropriate xray images can also guide you and your dentist as to whether a case warrants referral to a specialist.
