X-Rays
Online Dental Education Library
It is our great pleasure to provide you with the Dear Doctor – Dentistry & Oral Health Digital Library. Written exclusively by the foremost dental educators and clinicians in the field of dentistry, this library provides you with the latest developments and advancements on all aspects of dentistry to help you make the best decisions for your dental health. Such decisions can change not only your smile but your life for the better. If you have any questions after exploring the library, please feel free to ask our team.
You can get started by either searching for a dental term or procedure in the search box or you can view some popular articles below. Once the articles open, please feel free to print, email and share them with your friends and family.
Featured Article on Teeth Whitening – View all | |
![]() |
Teeth Whitening – Brighter, lighter, whiter... |
Featured Article on Porcelain Veneers – View all | |
![]() |
Smile Design Enhanced with Porcelain Veneers |
Featured Article on Cosmetic Dentistry – View all | |
![]() |
Cosmetic Dentistry – A Time For Change |
Featured Article on Dental Implants – View all | |
![]() |
Dental Implants – Your Third Set of Teeth |
Featured Article on Tooth Decay – View all | |
![]() |
What is Tooth Decay? – And How to Prevent It! |
Featured Article on Restorative Dentistry – View all | |
![]() |
The Natural Beauty of Tooth Colored Fillings |
Featured Article on Oral Hygiene – View all | |
![]() |
Oral Hygiene – Dental Health for Life |
Featured Article on Periodontal (Gum) Disease – View all | |
![]() |
Understanding Gum (Periodontal) Disease |
Featured Article on Laser Dentistry – View all | |
![]() |
Lasers Shine a Light on Dentistry |
Featured Article on Sedation Dentistry – View all | |
![]() |
Oral Sedation Dentistry |
Featured Article on Smile Makeovers – View all | |
![]() |
The Impact of a Smile Makeover |
Featured Article on TMD – View all | |
![]() |
TMD – The Great Impostor |
Featured Article on Oral Cancer – View all | |
![]() |
Oral Cancer |
Featured Article on Dentures – View all | |
![]() |
Implant Overdentures for the Lower Jaw |
Featured Article on Root Canals – View all | |
![]() |
“I'd Rather Have a Root Canal...” |
Featured Article on Dental Injuries |
When X-rays pass through your mouth during a dental exam, more X-rays are absorbed by the denser parts (such as teeth and bone) than by soft tissues (such as cheeks and gums) before striking the film. This creates an image on the radiograph. Teeth appear lighter because fewer X-rays penetrate to reach the film. Cavities and gum disease appear darker because of more X-ray penetration. The interpretation of these X-rays allows the dentist to safely and accurately detect hidden abnormalities.
How often dental X-rays (radiographs) should be taken depends on the patient`s individual health needs. It is important to recognize that just as each patient is different from the next, so should the scheduling of X-ray exams be individualized for each patient. Your medical and dental history will be reviewed and your mouth examined before a decision is made to take X-rays of your teeth.
The schedule for needing radiographs at recall visits varies according to your age, risk for disease and signs and symptoms. Recent films may be needed to detect new cavities, or to determine the status of gum disease or for evaluation of growth and development. Children may need X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than those of adults.