If you’ve ever sat in the dental chair and heard “we’re going to take some X-rays today,” you may have wondered: What exactly are they looking for? How often do I really need them? And is the radiation something I should be worried about?
These are great questions, and at Fridman Family Dental Care, we believe every patient deserves a clear, honest explanation of why we recommend the tests we do. This guide covers everything you need to know about dental X-rays — in plain language, with no guesswork.
What Are Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays (also called radiographs) are diagnostic images that allow your dentist to see structures that are invisible to the naked eye — including the roots of your teeth, the bone supporting them, developing teeth in children, and early signs of decay or infection between teeth. Without X-rays, a significant amount of dental disease would go undetected until it became painful, expensive, or both.
Modern dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation and are captured digitally, making them faster, more comfortable, and significantly lower in radiation exposure than the film-based X-rays used decades ago.
Types of Dental X-Rays We Use
Not all dental X-rays are the same. Different types give us different views, and your dentist will choose the right one based on what they need to evaluate:
- Bitewing X-rays — The most common type. They show the upper and lower back teeth side by side, and are especially useful for detecting cavities between teeth and checking bone levels. These are the X-rays where you bite down on a small sensor or tab.
- Periapical X-rays — These capture the entire length of one or two specific teeth, from crown to root tip. They’re used when there’s a concern about infection, root damage, or bone loss around a particular tooth.
- Panoramic X-rays — A single wide image that captures all of your teeth, jaws, sinuses, and jaw joints in one sweep. Useful for evaluating wisdom teeth, jaw problems, implant planning, and overall jaw health.
- Full-mouth series (FMX) — A comprehensive set of 14–21 individual images covering every tooth and its supporting bone. Typically recommended for new patients or as a baseline every 3–5 years.
- Cone Beam CT (CBCT) — A three-dimensional scan used for complex treatment planning such as dental implants, orthodontics, or jaw surgery. Not a routine X-ray, but invaluable when precise 3D anatomy matters.
What Can Dental X-Rays Detect?
X-rays let us find problems early — often before you feel any symptoms at all. Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Cavities — Especially those hiding between teeth or under existing fillings, where a visual exam can’t reach.
- Bone loss — A key sign of gum (periodontal) disease. X-rays show how much bone is supporting your teeth — something that’s completely invisible to the eye.
- Infections and abscesses — Dark areas at root tips on an X-ray can indicate infection that needs treatment before it spreads.
- Impacted teeth — Including wisdom teeth that are stuck below the gumline and may be pushing against neighboring teeth.
- Developmental issues in children — X-rays help us track whether adult teeth are forming correctly and coming in at the right angle.
- Cysts, tumors, and other abnormalities — While rare, X-rays can reveal growths or changes in the jaw that require further evaluation.
- Cracked teeth and root fractures — Some fractures are visible on X-rays even when no pain is present yet.
How Often Do You Need Dental X-Rays?
Frequency depends on your individual risk factors, age, and dental history. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the FDA jointly recommend that X-rays be taken based on each patient’s specific needs — not on a fixed schedule. That said, here are general guidelines:
- Children (under 12) — Bitewing X-rays every 6–12 months, since children are at higher risk for cavities and their mouths are changing rapidly.
- Teens — Bitewings every 12–18 months; panoramic X-ray to monitor wisdom teeth development.
- Adults with low cavity risk — Bitewings every 18–24 months is typically appropriate.
- Adults with higher risk — If you have active gum disease, a history of frequent cavities, dry mouth, or wear braces, more frequent imaging may be recommended.
- New patients — A full-mouth series or panoramic X-ray is typically recommended at your first visit so we have a complete baseline of your dental health.
At Fridman Family Dental Care, we follow ADA guidelines and use clinical judgment to recommend X-rays only when they provide information that will meaningfully affect your care. We will always explain why we’re recommending a particular X-ray before we take it.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
This is the question we hear most often, and the answer is: yes — modern dental X-rays are very safe.
To put the radiation dose in perspective: a full set of four bitewing X-rays exposes you to approximately 0.005 millisieverts (mSv) of radiation. For comparison, you receive about 0.01 mSv just from background radiation on a typical day — meaning a set of dental X-rays is less than your exposure from half a day of simply being alive. A cross-country flight exposes you to about 0.04 mSv — roughly 8 times more than a set of bitewing X-rays.
At our practice, we use digital radiography, which reduces radiation exposure by up to 80% compared to traditional film X-rays. We also follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), meaning we take the minimum number of X-rays needed to get the diagnostic information required — no more, no less.
Lead aprons and thyroid collars are available upon request and are routinely used for children and patients who prefer them.
What About X-Rays During Pregnancy?
Routine dental X-rays are generally postponed during pregnancy unless there is a dental emergency that requires immediate diagnosis. If an X-ray is absolutely necessary, a lead apron covering the abdomen provides effective shielding. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) confirms that dental care, including necessary X-rays, is safe during pregnancy — but we always err on the side of caution and will work with your OB when appropriate.
Tips for Getting the Most from Your Dental X-Rays
- Bring prior X-rays when switching dentists — Having your previous radiographs means we can compare changes over time without unnecessary repeat imaging.
- Let us know about any symptoms — Tooth pain, sensitivity, or pressure can help us target which area to image and why.
- Don’t skip X-rays to save time — The few minutes they take can reveal problems that, caught early, are far simpler and less costly to treat.
- Ask questions — We’re always happy to show you your X-rays on our chairside screens and explain exactly what we’re seeing.
X-Rays at Fridman Family Dental Care
At our Valencia practice, we use state-of-the-art digital radiography that delivers crisp, detailed images at a fraction of the radiation of older systems. Our team reviews every X-ray carefully and walks you through what we find — because we believe informed patients make better decisions about their health.
Whether you’re due for a routine set of bitewings or you have a specific concern you’d like us to take a closer look at, we’re here to help. Call us at (661) 254-3700 or request an appointment online — we’d love to see you.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or dental advice. Please consult with a licensed dental professional for guidance tailored to your individual needs.
