Diagnostic imaging that reveals what an exam alone can't.
Without X-rays, problem areas may go undetected. Catching dental problems early can save you time, money, unnecessary discomfort — and your teeth.
What dental X-rays may reveal
- Abscesses or cysts.
- Bone loss.
- Cancerous and non-cancerous tumors.
- Decay between the teeth.
- Developmental abnormalities.
- Poor tooth and root positions.
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gum line.
Are dental X-rays safe?
We are all exposed to natural radiation in our environment. The amount of radiation exposure from a full-mouth series of X-rays is equal to the amount a person receives in a single day from natural sources.
Dental X-rays produce a low level of radiation and are considered safe. We take necessary precautions to limit your exposure — including lead apron shields to protect the body and modern, fast film that cuts down the exposure time of each X-ray.
How often should X-rays be taken?
The need for dental X-rays depends on each patient's individual dental health needs. Your dentist and hygienist will recommend necessary X-rays based on a review of your medical and dental history, the dental exam, signs and symptoms, age considerations, and risk for disease.
A full-mouth series of dental X-rays is recommended for new patients and is usually good for three to five years. Bite-wing X-rays — top and bottom teeth biting together — are taken at recall (check-up) visits and are recommended once or twice a year to detect new dental problems.
Frequently asked questions
Are dental X-rays safe during pregnancy?
Routine dental X-rays are generally postponed during pregnancy unless there's an urgent diagnostic need (severe pain, infection, trauma). If an X-ray is necessary, we use a lead apron with a thyroid collar and modern low-dose digital sensors. Always tell us if you're pregnant or trying to conceive so we can plan accordingly.
How much radiation am I exposed to during dental X-rays?
A full-mouth series of dental X-rays delivers about the same radiation you'd receive from one day of natural background exposure (sun, air, rocks, food). Single bite-wing X-rays at a recall visit are roughly a fraction of that. We use lead aprons, thyroid collars, and modern fast-film/digital sensors to keep exposure as low as possible.
How often should I have dental X-rays taken?
Bite-wing X-rays — the small ones taken with you biting down on a tab — are recommended once or twice a year at your recall visits to catch new decay between teeth. A full-mouth series is taken on new patients and then every 3–5 years. Your dentist will adjust based on your dental history, age, and risk for disease.
What's the difference between bite-wing X-rays and a full-mouth series?
Bite-wing X-rays show the crowns of your upper and lower back teeth biting together — they're the best tool for spotting decay between teeth and checking bone level. A full-mouth series captures every tooth from crown to root tip across multiple individual films. The full series is used as a baseline for new patients and to check for problems beneath the gumline.
Why do I need X-rays if I'm not having pain?
Most dental problems are silent in their early stages — decay between teeth, small abscesses, bone loss, cysts, and even tumors typically don't cause pain until they're advanced. X-rays catch these issues when they're still small and inexpensive to fix. Waiting for pain usually means a bigger problem and a bigger procedure.
Can I refuse dental X-rays?
You can decline X-rays, but we're then diagnosing partially blind — about a third of dental problems aren't visible during a clinical exam alone. We'll always explain why we're recommending a specific X-ray and how often. If you'd like to push out the cadence, talk to your dentist about your concerns.
Do children need dental X-rays?
Yes — children typically get X-rays once a year, more frequently if they have a high cavity risk or are in mixed-dentition (losing baby teeth, gaining permanent ones). X-rays in kids monitor tooth development, look for decay between teeth, and check that adult teeth are coming in correctly.
Are digital X-rays safer than film X-rays?
Yes — digital X-ray sensors deliver about 70–80% less radiation than traditional film. We use digital imaging throughout the practice, which also means we can review your images chairside on a screen and store them as part of your record without any chemical processing.
