A dental examination can only see the surfaces we can look at directly. X-rays show the rest: between the teeth, inside them, and in the bone below the gumline. A great deal of dental disease starts in exactly those hidden places.
What X-rays reveal
- Decay between teeth, where surfaces touch and cannot be seen
- Decay underneath existing fillings or crowns
- Infection at the root tip of a tooth
- Bone loss from gum disease
- The position of unerupted or impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth
- Cysts and other changes in the jawbone
- In children, whether adult teeth are developing and positioned normally
Types we take
Bitewings show the crowns of the upper and lower back teeth together, and are the standard way of checking for decay between teeth.
Periapicals show one or two teeth in full, from crown to root tip and the surrounding bone. Used when a specific tooth is symptomatic, and during root canal treatment.
Panoramic images show both jaws in a single wide view. Useful for wisdom teeth, orthodontic assessment, and planning implants.
Is it safe?
Dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation, and modern equipment and digital sensors have reduced it further. That said, the correct principle is not "it is small so it does not matter" — it is that every image must be justified. We take an X-ray when the result could change your diagnosis or your treatment, and not routinely to a timetable.
If you are or might be pregnant
Tell us before any X-ray. Dental imaging is directed away from the abdomen and the dose is very low, but non-urgent images are normally deferred until after the birth. Urgent problems, particularly infection, are still treated during pregnancy — an untreated dental infection carries its own risks.
Common questions
How often will I need X-rays?
It depends on your risk of decay and gum disease, not a fixed schedule. Someone with a history of frequent decay may need images more often than someone with a stable, healthy mouth.
Can I refuse?
Yes. We will explain what we are looking for and what we may miss without the image, so your decision is an informed one. There are situations where we cannot safely proceed with treatment without knowing what is underneath, and we will tell you plainly if that is the case.
Can I bring X-rays from another clinic?
Please do. Recent images from elsewhere may save you a repeat.
What it costs
We do not publish a price list, because the right treatment — and so the price — depends on what we find when we examine you. What we promise instead:
- A written treatment plan and quote before any work begins
- No charges you have not agreed to first
- Payment by MTN MoMo, Airtel Money or card
Nervous about this treatment?
Tell us when you book. We allow extra time, explain each step before we do it, and stop whenever you ask us to.