X-ray

Why would I need an X-ray ?

Early tooth decay does not tend to show many physical signs or cause pain Sometimes the tooth looks healthy, but your dentist will be able to see from an X-ray whether you have any decay under the enamel, any possible infections in the roots, or any bone loss around the tooth.

X-rays can help the dentist to see in between your teeth or under the edge of your fillings. Finding and treating dental problems at an early stage can save both time and money.

In children, X-rays can be used to show where the second teeth are and when they will come through. They will let the dentist see whether there is enough room for the second teeth to come through.. This applies to adults when the wisdom teeth start to come through and may show if a wisdom tooth is impacted and needs to be removed before it causes problems.

How often should I have X-rays taken ?

If you are a new patient, unless you have had dental X-rays very recently, the dentist will probably suggest you having X-rays. This helps them to assess the condition of your mouth and to check for any hidden problems. After that, X-rays are usually recommended every 6 to 36 months depending on the person, their history of decay, age and condition of their mouth.

Whose property are the X-rays ?

X-rays are an essential part of your health records and must be kept with your personal dental file. As dental records work differently to other health records, the law says that your dentist must keep your dental records for at least two years from the date of your last course of treatment.

You are entitled to copies of our records and x-rays under the Data Protection Act 1998. But you will have to pay for these copies. In most cases your dental x-rays and records will not be needed by your new dentist. However if they are important, your new dentist will let you know and either ask for your permission to send for them or ask you to fetch them personally.

Are X-rays dangerous ?

The amount of radiation received from a dental X-ray is extremely small. We get more radiation from natural sources, including materials in the soil and from our general environment.

With modern techniques and equipment, risks are kept to a minimum. However your dentist will always take care to use X-rays only when they need to.

Should I have an X-ray if I’m pregnant ?

You should always tell your dentist if you are pregnant. They will take extra care and will probably not use X-rays unless they really have to, particularly during the first three months of your pregnancy.

What types of X-rays are there ?

There are various types of X-ray. Some show one or two teeth and their roots while others can take pictures of several teeth at once.

The most common X-rays are small ones, often known as ‘bitewing’ or ‘periapical’ X-rays. These are taken regularly to keep a check on the condition of the teeth and gums. These show a few teeth at a time, but include the roots and the surrounding areas.

There are large X-rays that show the whole mouth, including all the teeth and the bone structure that supports the teeth. These are called ‘panoramic’ or ‘panoral’ X-rays.

There are also medium sized X-rays, which show either one jaw at a time or one side of the face.

Why does the dentist leave the room during an X-ray ?

The dental team might take hundreds of X-rays every week. Staff limit the amount of radiation they receive by moving away from the X-ray beam. However, the risk to patients from routine X-rays is tiny.