Dental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body to form an image on film or screen. X-rays can be either digital or developed on a film.31 Mar 2024
Intraoral Radiographs are the most common type of dental X-rays you'll encounter during a routine dental exam. Your dentist is looking for cavities and checking the status of developing teeth.
The American Dental Association/U.S. Food and Drug Administration (ADA/FDA) guidelines 3 recommend that adults with no oral health problems typically will only need X-rays every two to three years. People who are at high risk for cavities or have a history of advanced gum disease may need X-rays more frequently.
This is commonly offered before complex treatments like dental implants as it will give your dental surgeon a detailed view of the bone structures and the soft tissue. Like an X‑ray, a CT scan is very safe and will not hurt.13 Mar 2024
Yes. Dental X-rays are considered safe for children. The amount of radiation exposure is minimal, and the potential to find and prevent significant oral health issues far outweighs the small risks associated with the procedure.18 Ağu 2025
The X-ray usually takes about a minute per image. You may get more than one image during a visit.
There are many types - or modalities - of medical imaging procedures, each of which uses different technologies and techniques. Computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, and radiography ("conventional X-ray" including mammography) all use ionizing radiation to generate images of the body.21 Şub 2023
Also, the roots of your teeth and the supporting bone are hidden by the gum tissues in your mouth, so the only way to determine if decay or problems with the surrounding bone are present is to use X-rays. Waiting for these “hidden” problems to become visible or noticeable through symptoms is not a good idea.
Likewise, the 15% Rule in x-ray radiography comes from the fact that (1/1.15)^5 ~0.5. When you decrease the kVp by 15% the exposure incident on the image receptor goes down by a factor of two, i.e there is one half of the exposure.
Understand the Impact: Know that refusing X-rays might make it harder for your dentist to diagnose certain issues. Without them, some problems may go unnoticed, which could lead to bigger issues later. Think About Your Dental History: Consider your past dental problems and current oral health.15 Oca 2025