Dental x-rays are a form of radiography that allows you to capture pictures of the jaw, teeth and other aspects of oral health. This includes cavities, wisdom teeth and bone loss that may not be able to be seen in dental examinations. Dental x-rays can be used to also create a treatment plan for crooked teeth, tooth removals, extensive cavities and more.

Dental x-rays are important based on your age, risk for disease and also signs of diseases. There are three different kinds of dental x-rays: one which shows an entire tooth, and is used to find issues below the gums such as impacted teeth, tumors and more. Another shows the upper and lower back of the teeth and how they align, which helps find issues such as tooth decay or misalignment. The third kind shows the top and bottom of your mouth, to find teeth that may not have erupted through the jums, cleft palates or jaw fractures. And lastly, a panoramic x-ray that shows a wide view of the entire lower face. This is used to find infections, fractures, bone abnormalities and more.