Why would I need an x-ray?
Early stages of tooth decay may not exhibit many visible signs. Even when a tooth appears healthy on the surface, dental professionals can identify underlying issues through X-rays. These X-rays can reveal decay beneath the enamel, potential infections in the root of the tooth, or any loss of bone around the tooth.
X-rays play a crucial role in enabling dental teams to visualize areas between teeth or underneath the edges of fillings. Detecting and addressing dental problems in their early stages can result in significant time and cost savings.
In the case of children, X-rays are employed to indicate the location of adult teeth and predict their emergence. Similarly, these X-rays are used in adults to monitor the eruption of wisdom teeth.
What will an x-ray show?
X-rays can show decay that may not be seen directly in the mouth: for example, under a filling, or between the teeth. They can show whether you have an infection in the root of your tooth and how severe the infection.
In children, an x-ray can show any teeth that haven’t come through yet, and show the dental team whether there is enough space for the teeth to come through. In adults, it can show any impacted wisdom teeth that may need to be removed, before they cause any problems.