See what a checkup alone can’t show
Dental X-rays give your dentist a quick, low-radiation look at what’s happening between your teeth, below the gumline, and at the root, so small problems get caught before they grow.
X-rays reveal decay between teeth, bone loss, and problems below the gumline long before you’d feel them.
X-rays usually happen as part of your regular exam, so they add little to no extra time to your visit.
We use a low dose and only take the images that are clinically useful for you.
Why does the dentist take X-rays?
Dental X-rays show your dentist what a visual exam alone can’t: decay forming between teeth, infection at the root of a tooth, bone loss from gum disease, impacted teeth, and problems developing under an old filling or crown. They’re a standard part of a dental exam and one of the simplest tools in preventive care.
Finding these early usually means a simpler, smaller treatment. Catching a cavity while it’s still small is a much easier fix than waiting until it reaches the nerve.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Yes. Routine dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation, comparable to a few hours of everyday background radiation and well below what a chest X-ray uses. A lead apron or thyroid collar is used during imaging as an added precaution, and we only take the images that are clinically useful for you, not on a fixed schedule regardless of need.
How often do I need dental X-rays?
It depends on your age, your risk of cavities, and your dental history. A common pattern is a couple of bitewing images once a year, with a fuller set taken less often. If you’re a new patient, we’ll typically take a baseline set of X-rays so your dentist has a complete picture to compare against at future visits.
If you’re new to Edmonds and already have recent X-rays from a previous dentist, bring them along or have your old office send them over. We can often use images taken within the last several months instead of retaking them the same day.
Due for X-rays or an exam?
Book a Dental Exam TodayWhat about X-rays during pregnancy or for kids?
If you’re pregnant or think you might be, let us know when you schedule. Routine, non-urgent X-rays are commonly deferred or limited during pregnancy, and we’ll only take one if it’s needed to treat a problem right away.
For kids, X-rays help your dentist monitor how permanent teeth are developing and catch decay while it’s still small and easy to treat.
How much do dental X-rays cost?
X-rays are usually bundled into a new-patient exam or a regular recall visit rather than billed as a standalone cost.
We accept most PPO plans, and most plans cover routine diagnostic X-rays at regular intervals. We’ll verify your benefits before your visit so you know what to expect, and if cost is a concern, we also offer flexible ways to pay through our insurance and financing options. Prefer to just ask? Call us.
Estimates before insurance. Most X-rays are part of a visit you’re already having.
Questions patients ask
Yes. Routine dental X-rays use a low dose of radiation, and we take steps like a lead apron to protect you further. We only take the images that are clinically useful for your situation.
It depends on your age, dental history, and risk of cavities. Bitewings are commonly taken about once a year, with a fuller set less often. We’ll tell you what’s right for you at your visit.
Often, yes. X-rays catch problems, like decay between teeth or bone loss below the gumline, well before you’d feel any symptoms. Waiting for pain usually means a bigger, more expensive fix.
Most PPO plans cover routine diagnostic X-rays at regular intervals. We verify your benefits before your visit so you know what to expect.
Let us know when you schedule if you’re pregnant or think you might be. Non-urgent X-rays are commonly deferred or limited during pregnancy, and we’ll only take one if it’s needed to treat an urgent problem.
Due for a checkup?
Book an exam and we’ll take the X-rays we need to keep small problems small, and explain what we find along the way.