An X-ray is the only way to see the two-thirds of a tooth that sits below the gum, and the surfaces where teeth touch each other. The useful question is not whether X-rays are safe, modern doses are very small, but whether this particular film will change what happens next. Dental x-rays show cavities between teeth, bone loss, infection at the root and impacted teeth that cannot be seen during an exam, and the radiation dose from modern digital images is very low, with a lead apron and a careful choice of when to take them limiting exposure further.
Why people book dental X-rays
- A check-up where decay between teeth is suspected
- Persistent pain with no visible cause
- Assessment of gum disease and bone levels
- Planning for implants, extractions or orthodontics
- Monitoring a tooth or restoration over time
What the visit usually covers
- Bitewing views for decay between back teeth
- Periapical views showing a whole tooth and its root
- Panoramic views of both jaws
- Cone-beam 3D imaging for implant and surgical planning
- No imaging at all, where nothing justifies it
How X-rays are justified and taken
The question a dentist should be able to answer is what this particular film will change.
- Reviewing your history and previous images first
- Selecting the view that answers the clinical question
- Using the lowest dose that produces a usable image
- Digital sensors, which use less radiation than film
- Explaining what the image shows
- Recording when it was taken so it is not repeated unnecessarily
Common questions
Dental X-Rays: questions people ask
Are dental X-rays safe?
Doses from modern digital dental radiography are very small. Every image still needs a reason. Nobody should be taking one on a fixed schedule alone.
How often should I have them?
There is no fixed interval. Frequency should follow your decay risk, gum condition and history. Someone with active decay needs them more often than someone stable for years.
Can I refuse an X-ray?
Yes, and you can ask why it is recommended. Be aware that a dentist may not be able to diagnose confidently without it, and may say so.
I am pregnant: can I have one?
Tell the practice you are pregnant. Routine imaging is often deferred, while a necessary diagnostic image may still be taken with appropriate protection. It is a clinical judgement.
Can I get copies to take elsewhere?
Yes. Ask the practice for your images. Recent films can avoid a new dentist repeating them.
What types of dental X-ray are there?
Bitewing views show decay between back teeth. Periapical views show a whole tooth and its root. Panoramic views show both jaws. Cone-beam 3D imaging supports implant and surgical planning. Sometimes no imaging at all is right, where nothing justifies it. The question is what this particular film will change.