Dental X-rays help dentists to see inside your teeth and jaw bones, and under your gums. This can include planning for fillings,braces, dentures, root canal treatment, and tooth extractions.

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What can dentists see on X-rays?

•Tooth decay

•Problems with past dental treatment

• The amount of bone holding teeth in place

•Tooth and bone fractures following an accident or injury

• How close teeth sit to nerves, and other important parts of the face

•Abscesses, cysts, and tumours

•Teeth that are still growing under the gums

• Extra teeth, missing teeth, and teeth stuck under the gums.

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Who can have dental X-rays?

X-rays can be taken on children and adults. The type of X-ray your dentist takes will depend on what they are looking for.

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How often should I have an X-ray?

Your dentist will tell you how often you should have X-rays.

They will look at your teeth, your age, your old dental X-rays, signs of tooth decay or other diseases in your mouth and use this information to make a recommendation.

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