X-Rays & Imaging

A clinical exam can only show what is visible to the eye. Dental x-rays let the dentist find decay that forms between teeth, where a visual check cannot reach, and see what is happening below the gumline and inside the jawbone.

For children in particular, x-rays also show the permanent teeth forming beneath the primary (baby) teeth. That helps the dentist spot problems with the order teeth come in, watch for impacted teeth, and confirm there is enough room for incoming permanent teeth. X-rays help with:

• Detecting decay between teeth before it becomes visible or causes symptoms
• Monitoring developing permanent teeth and their expected eruption paths
• Checking bone levels and the health of the structures around the roots
• Seeing whether a primary tooth's root has resorbed as expected
• Assessing the position of teeth that have not yet come in

There is no fixed schedule that applies to every child. How often x-rays are taken depends on individual risk. A child with a history of cavities, closely spaced teeth, or limited visibility between teeth may need imaging more often than a child with wide spacing, no history of decay, and good oral hygiene.

The dentist discusses x-ray decisions with parents before they are taken. If you have questions about whether x-rays are needed at a given visit, the team welcomes that conversation.

The office uses digital x-rays, which use less radiation than older film-based systems. Images are captured on a sensor rather than film and are ready to review within seconds.

Radiation is a concern for many parents, and it is a reasonable thing to think about. The dose from a set of dental x-rays is very low, comparable to the natural background radiation a person receives from the environment over a short period of time.

X-rays are only taken when they are clinically justified, and protective shielding is used when it is part of current guidance and the office's protocol.

Children with low cavity risk, well-spaced teeth, no history of decay, and good oral hygiene may go longer between x-rays than children with higher risk factors. Each child's situation is considered individually. X-rays are not taken on a routine fixed schedule, only when the information they provide is likely to affect care decisions.