Dental x-rays are used to make quick and painless images of your teeth and jaws. X-rays are invisible beams of energy, a form of radiation. The images are displayed on film or on the computer monitor (digital imaging) after the x-rays pass through an area of the body and are absorbed differently depending on the density of the structures. Dense body parts such as bones and teeth absorb much of the x-rays and will show up as white areas on the resulting image, while less dense body parts such as nerves and muscles absorb less, showing up as shades of gray.

They may be used to identify:

  • Number, size, and position of the teeth
  • Initial or advanced dental caries (a.k.a. tooth decay)
  • Bone loss caused by periodontal disease (a.k.a. gum disease)
  • Tooth infection
  • Jaw fractures
  • Problems of occlusion
  • Jaw lesions
  • Other teeth and bone abnormalities

How often dental x-rays should be taken depends on:

  • Age and stage of development
  • Present oral health and clinical findings
  • Risk for dental caries and periodontal disease
  • If you have any signs and/or symptoms of oral disease

To make sure the child exposure is reduced as much as possible the Image Gently campaign recommends dentists to:

  • Take x-rays based on the specific patient/ child’s needs and not as a routine test
  • Use up to date equipment and techniques
  • Use thyroid collars (to protect the thyroid gland that is more sensitive to radiation) and protective shields as needed for other body parts
  • Use child-size exposure times
  • Take Cone-Beam CT scans only when necessary

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