X-rays (radiographs) are used by your dentist only when absolutely necessary to help them with their diagnosis. X-rays can help to find and treat dental problems at an early stage, so save time and money.

With our modern equipment and fast film the amount of radiation received from a dental x-ray is extremely small.

Do tell the dentist if you might be pregnant, as we will try to delay x-rays until after the birth, even though x-rays of the mouth do not interfere with the unborn baby.

X-rays are used for many reasons:

• At the check-up to show decay between the teeth or under a filling

• During root canal treatment to determine the length of the roots

• In children to look for second teeth

• If you have pain, an x-ray often shows the infection in the bone at the end of the root (the abscess)

• If you have gum disease the dentist can use x-rays to monitor the bone levels

X-rays have to be kept with your dental file and dental records work differently to medical records, as the dentist who took the films has to legally keep the x-rays. If you are new to the practice and would like us to use your old x-rays, please give us the telephone number of your previous practice.

As a generalization, routine x-rays at the check-up appointment are taken every two years and the risk to patients is tiny.

As the dental team take many x-rays each week, they limit the amount of radiation they receive by moving away from the x-ray beam.