Learn more about dental X-rays, how they work, what they detect, and the risks associated with them.
How X-Rays Work
During your dental X-ray, a small amount of electromagnetic radiation is used to create an X-ray image of your teeth, roots, gums, jaw, and facial bones.
Like other forms of X-rays, dental radiographs work by sending a type of energy that is absorbed by solid objects but passes through less dense tissues, like your skin. The solid objects (teeth and bones) absorb the energy and appear lighter on the X-ray image. This gives your dentist an internal view of your oral health.
What They Detect
Dental X-rays can detect various abnormalities in your oral health, including early detection of dental issues that weren’t found on a visual oral exam. This is useful, as your dentist can recommend certain treatments (for example, braces, implants, or wisdom teeth removal) based on your results.
Some of the things your dentist will examine in your dental X-rays include:
Position, size, and number of teethChanges in the root canalBone loss in the jaw or facial bonesBone fracturesTooth decay, including between teeth or under fillingsAbscesses and cystsImpaction of teethHow the upper and lower teeth fit together
In children and young adults, dentists also look for the presence (including number and size) of the teeth that have not yet grown in. This includes the adult teeth, wisdom teeth, or molars. They also look at the spacing within the jaw to determine how and if the adult teeth will fit when they grow in.
Types
Dentists use different types of dental X-rays to examine different aspects of your oral health. Some types are better suited than others for what your dentist is assessing.
The main types of dental X-rays include:
Bitewing: You will bite down on a biting tab during this X-ray. The image displays the crown of your top and bottom teeth. These are typically taken every six to 12 months for children and six to 18 months for adults, although the American Dental Association has stated that they can be administered less frequently for some people. Periapical: The image displays the whole tooth, from the crown to the root. These are typically taken as a way for your dentist to examine specific teeth that are symptomatic, and can reveal abnormalities in the bone or root. Occlusal: This type of X-ray displays all the upper or lower teeth in one image. They are used less frequently than other types of dental X-rays, but can show issues in an arch of teeth, such as impactions or extra teeth. Panoramic: For this type of X-ray, you will likely stand or sit in a specialized machine that rotates around your head. The X-ray shows your jaw, upper set, and lower set of teeth all in one image. These are used most often in braces or surgery planning, and otherwise completed every three to five years. Cephalometric: This image shows the profile view of the face, and can identify issues with the airway or how the upper and lower jaw fit together.
Risks
Radiation
Like other forms of X-rays, dental radiographs carry risk associated with radiation.
However, according to the American Dental Association, radiation exposure associated with dental X-rays is minimal, compared with the average person’s total exposure from natural and human-made sources in their daily life. It is actually riskier not to have recommended dental X-rays and potentially miss out on early diagnosis of dental disease or damage.
During your dental X-ray, the technician will place a lead apron, and often a thyroid collar, on you. This protects your organs from minimal radiation they do not need to be exposed to.
Dentists also adhere to the “as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)” principle, as set forth in the 1973 International Commission on Radiologic Protection. This ensures that X-ray exposure is justifiable and as low as reasonably achievable.
Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, talk to your dentist about whether you should undergo dental X-rays. You will likely make a decision together based on the risks and benefits of your unique situation.
The evidence on dental X-ray safety for pregnant people is mixed. Some studies show an association between maternal dental X-rays and low birth weight, and other studies show no effect.
The current official position of both the American Dental Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is that dental X-rays during pregnancy are safe and, like all other dental X-rays, frequency should be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The FDA recommends that pregnant operators of dental X-rays wear a personal dosimeter to monitor radiation exposure levels, in addition to their normal protection gear and barrier.
Meningioma and Thyroid Cancer
There is a large body of research examining the relationship between dental X-rays and meningioma (brain or spinal cord tumor) or thyroid cancer.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the highest form of research, found that exposure to multiple dental X-rays across the lifetime is associated with a small increase in the risk of thyroid cancer and meningioma.
However, the study notes that recent widespread adoption of thyroid collars during dental X-rays, study biases, and lack of evidence may influence the applicability of results. Still, the authors recommended reducing diagnostic radiation exposure as much as possible.
Summary
Dentists use different types of dental radiographs (X-rays) to identify oral damage or disease that they cannot view during a clinical examination. Using these X-rays, they can provide early diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment. There are some risks associated with X-rays because of the radiation, but the benefits of identifying oral disease early outweigh the risk.
A Word From Verywell
Dental X-rays are an important part of keeping healthy. They are fast and painless, but if you do experience discomfort, you can ask your technician to make adjustments. If you have any concerns about the risks of dental X-rays, discuss it with your dentist. They can explain the reasons for and frequency of X-rays, as well as the steps they take to keep you safe and limit radiation exposure.
