05/21/2026
We often get asked by parents if x-rays are really needed. If we are recommending them, then the answer is - yes!
We understand the concerns about exposure to radiation which is why we follow the "ALARA" principle - "As Low As Reasonably Achievable." We only take x-rays if they are going to affect our decision-making when it comes to your child's healthcare and follow the guidelines of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If we don't have x-rays, then we are often just making a guess about what is best for your child - and we never want to just guess when it comes to health. We know you expect the best - which is why we don't want to make recommendations with a blindfold on! 🧐
These images are a couple of examples of situations where everything looks great on the surface - but the x-rays tell a different story:
🩵The first is an example of a child that had no known injury, but the x-ray shows a broken root. While no treatment is indicated right now, we do know that it is important to follow up and ensure that an infection doesn't develop and cause damage to the adult tooth!
💙The second is an example of a child who appears to have perfect, healthy teeth on the surface. The x-ray shows advance cavities, which untreated, could lead to pain or an infection requiring an extraction in a relatively short period of time!
Taking dental radiographs is not something we recommend lightly, but if detecting a condition early can prevent more extensive, costly or invasive procedures later -then we certainly think that is a benefit!
