in adults dental x-rays can be used to: show areas of decay that may not be visible with an oral exam especially small areas of decay between teeth identify decay occurring beneath an existing filling reveal bone loss that accompanies gum disease reveal changes in the bone or in the root canal resulting from infection assist in the preparation of tooth implants braces dentures or other dental procedures reveal abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or between the gum and a tooth) reveal other developmental abnormalities such as cysts and some types of tumors in children dental x-rays are used to: watch for decay determine if there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth determine if primary teeth are being lost quickly enough to allow permanent teeth to erupt properly check for the development of wisdom teeth and identify if the teeth are impacted (unable to emerge through the gums)
what types of problems can x-rays detect?