Dental X-ray: Types, Safety, and Why Your Dentist Might Recommend One

As much as you dread going in to check your teeth, a dental X-ray is the most significant thing you can do towards maintaining a healthy smile. You might think your teeth are fine because you can’t see or feel any problems, but many dental issues hide beneath the surface.

X-rays enable your dentist to examine what is going on inside the teeth, beneath the gums, and inside your jawbone, an area that the naked eye cannot see. It’s a bit like having a secret map to your oral health.

Let’s walk through why dental X-rays matter, the different types your dentist might use, and how safe they are.

Why Your Dentist Might Recommend a Dental X-ray

Your dentist doesn’t order an X-ray just for fun — there’s always a reason. Common situations include:

• Detecting hidden decay – Sometimes cavities start between teeth or under existing dental fillings.
• Checking for infection – X-rays show the roots of your teeth and surrounding bone for signs of abscesses or inflammation.
• Assessing bone health – Bone loss caused by gum disease can be spotted early.
• Planning treatment – For dental implants, orthodontics, or extractions, X-rays provide a clear roadmap.
• Monitoring growth and development –In children and teens, X-rays assist in monitoring the way jaws and teeth are developing.

Think of it as preventive care. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier and less costly it is to treat.

The Different Types of Dental X-rays

Not all X-rays are the same. Your dentist chooses the right type based on your specific needs. Here are the most common:

1. Bitewing X-rays

• Display the details of the upper and lower teeth in one view.
• It is used in locating a decay between teeth and changes in bone density.
• Usually taken during routine dental check-ups.

2. Periapical X-rays

• Capture the tooth as a whole, including the crown and root.
• Helpful for diagnosing root problems, abscesses, or severe decay.

3. Panoramic X-rays

• Provide a wide-angle view of your entire mouth, including teeth, jaws, sinuses, and jaw joints.
• Helpful in planning orthodontic treatment, detecting cysts or tumours, and evaluating impacted wisdom teeth.

4. Occlusal X-rays

• Show the bottom or roof of your mouth.
• Often used to find extra teeth, jaw fractures, or growths.

5. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

• A 3D scan offering detailed images of teeth, bone, nerve pathways, and soft tissues.
• Common in complex cases like implant planning or oral surgery.

Your dentist may combine different types for a complete picture of your oral health.

How Safe Are Dental X-rays?

Radiation is usually the primary concern when it comes to X-rays. The good news? Modern dental X-rays involve extremely low radiation exposure — often less than what you’d get from a short aeroplane flight.

Here’s why you can feel reassured:

• Digital X-rays expose between 10 and 90 per cent less radiation than regular film.
• Lead aprons and thyroid collars protect the rest of your body.
• X-rays are taken only when necessary, not as a blanket procedure.

Your dentist weighs the minimal risk of exposure against the considerable benefit of early detection and accurate diagnosis.

How Often Do You Need Them?

It depends on your oral health, age, and dental history. For example:

• Adults with healthy teeth may need them every 1–2 years.
• Children may need them more often to monitor growth.
• They may be required more often by patients with gum disease or who have had cavities.

Your Gordon dentist will plan the schedule according to your needs, and you will undergo X-rays only when they are necessary.

The Role of Technology in Dental X-rays

Advancements in dental technology have made X-rays quicker, safer, and more comfortable. Today, many practices use digital imaging that gives instant results, allowing your dentist to enlarge, adjust, and explain the images right in front of you.

Some dentists also use intraoral cameras alongside X-rays. Although it is not an X-ray machine, an intraoral camera captures your teeth and gums in detail and in real-time.

This means you can see what your dentist sees — whether it’s a tiny crack in a tooth or plaque buildup. Pairing these images with X-rays gives a complete visual story of your oral health, making treatment decisions much clearer and easier for you to understand.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip It

It’s easy to think, “I feel fine, so I don’t need an X-ray.” But dental problems often develop silently. By the time you feel pain, the issue could already be advanced — meaning more invasive treatment, higher costs, and longer recovery.

Skipping an X-ray is a bit like ignoring your car’s warning lights. You might still be able to drive for a while, but the underlying problem could cause bigger trouble later on.

Your Gordon dentist uses X-rays not just to fix problems but to prevent them. In many cases, an early diagnosis can help you avoid a root canal, tooth extraction, or expensive surgery.

Digital Dental X-ray in Gordon

A dental X-ray is one of the most effective tools for protecting your oral health. It’s quick, painless, safe, and invaluable in catching issues early. Whether it’s spotting hidden decay, assessing bone health, or planning future treatment, X-rays give you and your dentist the full picture.

At Northern Dental Gordon, we use the latest digital X-ray system, which delivers 80 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays of teeth. Your images are available for immediate viewing, so we can walk you through what we see and help you make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

We also use the intraoral camera so that you can view clear, real-time images of your teeth and gums — giving you complete confidence in the care you receive. Your smile deserves this level of precision and safety.

Book your dental check-up today and experience how advanced imaging technology can help protect your oral health for years to come.

Contact us at (02) 9498 8290 or visit us at Suite 3, 2 St Johns Ave in Gordon.