Dental X-Rays: Do the Benefits Outweigh the Risks?

Great Careers Start Here

LinkedIn

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Campus*
Program*
First Name*
Last Name*
Phone*
Email*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Zip Code*
Military Status*
High School Status*
TCPA 1*
- All information submitted to Charter College is subject to our Privacy Policy. By clicking this box I authorize Charter College to call (on a recorded line) or email me at email and telephone number provided above with additional school information, and that such communications may be initiated using an automatic telephone dialing system.
TCPA 2*
- By clicking this box I authorize Charter College to contact me via SMS. You may receive at least two text messages per week, however frequency may vary. Reply STOP to end texts. I understand that I am not required to provide this consent to be eligible to enroll or otherwise purchase services. Messaging and data rates may apply.

Every year dentists across the country take millions of dental X-rays to detect problems in teeth, gums, and jawbones that aren’t visible during a regular exam. Although radiation in high doses can be dangerous, the benefits of dental x-rays outweigh the risks. And the Environmental Protection Agency outlines how guidance and national regulations can maintain the safety of patients across the U.S.

Benefit: X-Rays Catch Cavities You Can’t See

Tooth decay often starts between teeth or under old fillings, which are places a visual exam can’t reliably see. Bitewing and periapical X-rays help your dentist spot tiny problems early, so a small filling now doesn’t become a more severe issue that requires treatment like a root canal later. Dental X-rays can also reveal cysts, impacted teeth, and bone changes that hide below the surface.

Risk: There’s a Small Dose of Radiation with Dental X-Rays

Dental radiographs do use ionizing radiation, but the dose is low. And today, many common dental procedures use digital X-rays, which utilize sensors and computer data collection. Digital radiography also requires 90% lesser dosage than traditional film X-rays. And dentists and dental assistants follow strict safety protocols and regulations from the American Dental Association to further protect you from radiation.

Benefit: X-Rays Find Infections and Other Urgent Problems

Radiographs help your dentist confirm and/or rule out abscesses, deep decay near the nerve, cracked roots, and other issues that can spread, cause pain, or put your overall health at risk. They are also used to check healing after treatment.

Risk: Unnecessary or Repeat Dental X-Rays Add Exposure

Like any medical test, X-rays should only be used when needed, and dental practices have guidelines for frequency. Dentists and dental assistants follow patient-selection guidelines from both the Food and Drug Administration and the ADA, that consider your age, cavity risk, symptoms, and history, so you only get the images you need. The ADA policies help make sure a patient’s exposure to radiation is “as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)” and complies with “as low as diagnostically acceptable (ALADA) principles of good radiation hygiene.”

Benefit: Dental X-Rays Offer Early Clues About Gum Disease and Bone Loss

Gum disease affects roughly 42% of U.S. adults aged 30 and older. Dental X-rays help measure bone levels around teeth and reveal tartar or defects that aren’t visible otherwise, so your dental team can intervene before you struggle with bleeding gums, loose teeth, or total tooth loss. These X-rays can also help dental practitioners educate patients on how to take preventative measures to avoid gum disease, and how to detect it early.

Risk: Pregnancy Concerns with Dental X-Rays

Even though dental X-rays are generally considered safe during pregnancy, they should only be conducted when clinically necessary. According to the American Pregnancy Association, while it may be a good idea to delay routine x-rays if you’re pregnant, a single x-ray doesn’t have a radiation level high enough to cause problems for a developing fetus. Having dental x-rays is considered safe with appropriate shielding.

Benefit: Dental X-Rays Improve Treatment Plans

From orthodontics to implants to wisdom teeth, the right imaging at the right time allows your dental team to plan with precision, avoid surprises, and choose the least invasive option that works for you. That often means fewer appointments, shorter procedures, and more predictable outcomes.

How Often do Patients Need Dental X-Rays?

There’s no one-size-fits-all dental x-ray schedule; it depends on your unique dental conditions and health history. A dental team bases the decision on patient current oral health, age, cavity risk, symptoms, and time since last images. If a patient is a low-risk adult with a healthy mouth, they may need images less often. If they’re at higher risk or have symptoms, they may need them more regularly.

When regulations and guidelines are used and they are done with modern equipment, dental X-rays offer clear benefits such as early decay detection, infection diagnosis, gum-health monitoring, and precise treatment planning at very low radiation doses.

Are you interested in a dental career? As a Dental Assistant, you need to understand the pros and cons of dental imaging and be able to explain them to your patient. You also need to know how to take dental x-rays with care and precision. At Charter College, our Dental Assisting Certificate program teaches you all about digital radiography and other important skills like chairside assisting and patient care. If you’re ready to launch a career that makes people smile, call 1-888-200-9942 or fill out the form.

888.200.9942