A Dental X-Ray is a medical procedure used by a dentist to identify conditions or issues within the mouth that cannot be properly seen through a physical examination alone — such as decay, cavities, and abscesses. Like standard X-Rays, a Dental X-Ray uses a small amount of radiation and electromagnetic energy beams to print an image, with hard matter like teeth appearing white and less dense matter like decay appearing darker.
There are two main types of Dental X-Ray: intraoral (film inside the mouth) and extraoral (film outside the mouth). Intraoral X-Rays are the most common and show cavities, tooth root health, and surrounding bone. Extraoral X-Rays are less common and are typically used to detect issues in the jaw and skull, or to monitor wisdom tooth growth (commonly called a panoramic X-Ray).
To receive a Dental X-Ray, you will need a referral from a dentist or orthodontist. During your appointment, your doctor will assess your symptoms and order an X-Ray if they suspect an issue that can be diagnosed through imaging. You may be referred for a Dental X-Ray if you are experiencing: shooting pain anywhere in your mouth; long-lasting pain or discomfort; swollen or red gums; ulcers, sores, or tender areas that won't heal; bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing; chronic bad breath; gum disease; sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures; loose teeth; or receding gums.
Conditions a Dental X-Ray can help diagnose include: new tooth decay; decay beneath existing fillings; bone loss in the jaw; changes in bone or root canal due to infection; preparation for tooth implants, braces, dental implants, and dentures; abscesses; impacted teeth; cysts; some types of tumours; and assessment of wisdom teeth for removal.
Before any dental procedure, you should thoroughly brush your teeth to create a hygienic environment. Beyond this, no special preparation is typically required for a Dental X-Ray — though it is always worth confirming with your dentist at the time of referral in case they have specific instructions.
It is generally recommended to avoid eating or drinking anything other than water for around five hours before your appointment, to prevent food debris from becoming lodged between your teeth.
All metal objects in the head region should be removed before the scan, as they obstruct the X-Ray beams and block the image. This includes jewellery, headbands, bobby pins, hair clips, hearing aids, and piercings. If you have any metal dental implants that cannot be removed, inform the technician before the scan begins. Removing items at home before your appointment will help speed up the process.
On arrival, check in with reception as you would for any medical appointment. When it is your turn, a staff member will take you through to the X-Ray room.
You will sit upright in a dental chair, and the dentist or technician will place a lead apron over you to block radiation exposure to parts of your body that do not require imaging. You will then be positioned so the X-Ray machine can clearly capture images, and given an item to bite down on during the scan. You will be asked to keep your tongue flat on the item (called a hard palate) and your lips together for the duration of the X-Ray.
Once positioned, the dentist or technician will move to an adjoining room or sectioned-off area to take the images. It is important to maintain good posture, keep a straight spine, and remain completely still — any movement can blur the results.
After the images are taken, the dentist will check them for clarity. If all is well, your scan is complete and you are free to continue your day as normal. A Dental X-Ray is non-invasive, so no aftercare is required. In very rare cases, a patient may have an allergic reaction — if you notice any symptoms such as hives or a rash, contact your dentist or doctor immediately.
Images are available immediately after the scan, though your dentist may need a few days to analyse them and reach a diagnosis. You will then be contacted for a follow-up appointment to discuss findings and determine a treatment plan. In urgent cases — such as a severe abscess — results can be prioritised and shared with you sooner.
Non-invasive and painless
The procedure causes no discomfort and requires no invasive measures.
Quick results
In most cases, results are available within a few days. For emergency dental issues such as a severe abscess, a dentist can expedite results and determine a treatment plan immediately.
Effective diagnostic tool
Dental X-Rays are very useful in detecting a range of conditions, and are an easy and effective way to identify decay or determine whether an extraction is needed.
Cost-effective
Dental X-Rays are relatively affordable compared to CT scans or MRI scans.
Dental X-Rays have very low radiation exposure. People are already exposed to small amounts of radiation in everyday life — the radiation from a Dental X-Ray is equivalent to what an average person would naturally be exposed to over a 10-day period without having an X-Ray at all.
The imaging process itself typically only takes a couple of minutes. However, you should allow around 30 minutes for your appointment to account for consultation and preparation time.
There is no exact number, as this can depend on your size and underlying health conditions. However, it is generally recommended that healthy adults have around one Dental X-Ray per year.
Dental X-Rays are considered safe during pregnancy. In fact, due to hormonal changes, pregnant women can be more susceptible to gum disease as a result of swollen gums. However, it is always advisable to consult with your dentist before undertaking any medical procedure during pregnancy.