Dentists take x-rays to help them diagnose conditions that are not visible on routine examination of teeth. Dental x-rays may help detect decay, bone loss, tooth and bone fractures, positioning of teeth, tooth development, abscesses or tumours or even extra or missing teeth.
Being able to detect issues early with dental xrays can help dentists to provide the best treatment for you.
Modern dental x-ray units are very safe and produce very low doses of radiation. See this table from the ADA:
Dentist do still leave the room to take your x-ray to avoid ongoing cumulative radiation exposure from multiple patients everyday. Some patients ask us about what happened to the lead aprons dentists used to use. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency advised that lead aprons are not usually required for routine dental xrays due to well controlled and low doses of radiation from dental xrays.
What types of x-rays are used in dentistry?
Bitewing x-rays
Bitewing x-rays often form part of our routine dental check ups. They help dentists to check for decay between teeth, under restorations (fillings and crowns) and can assess bone levels around teeth which can indicate signs of severe gum disease.
Periapical x-rays
Periapical x-rays are used to look around the roots of teeth particularly when teeth are painful or have experience trauma. They are also used during root canal treatment and prior to extraction of teeth.
Panoramic (OPG)
A panoramic/OPG xray in a “full mouth xray” which can show a good overview of the jaws, jaw joints, sinus and teeth. This can show development of teeth including wisdom teeth, gum disease, cysts/tumours and infections and position of teeth in relation to other facial structures.
Lateral Cephalometric x-ray
A lateral cephalometic x-ray is a side view x-ray often used in orthodontic treatment planning to assess the facial bones and soft tissues.
