Treatment
Digital dental X-ray
Most of a tooth sits below the gum, and most dental problems start where they cannot be seen. A digital X-ray shows decay between teeth, infection at the root tip, the level of the supporting bone, and the position of teeth that have not come through. Images appear on screen within seconds, so the diagnosis and the conversation about it happen in the same visit rather than at a second appointment. Digital sensors use a substantially lower radiation dose than the old film systems they replaced, and dental X-rays are among the lowest-dose medical images taken. They are still taken for a reason rather than routinely: a specific symptom, a check between teeth where decay hides, assessing bone in gum disease, or planning a root canal, extraction or implant.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Binaya Bhandari, Owner and Dental Surgeon, NMC 20701. Last updated .
When do you need this treatment?
- Pain with no visible cause on the surface
- A check before a root canal, extraction or implant
- Assessing bone level in gum disease
- Checking the position of a wisdom tooth
What happens during your visit?
- 1The sensor is positioned and the image is taken in seconds
- 2The image appears on screen immediately
- 3The dentist shows you what they are looking at and what it means
- 4The image is kept on file for comparison at future visits
What happens if you leave it untreated?
Declining an X-ray where one is indicated means the dentist is diagnosing without seeing the part of the tooth where the problem usually is. Decay between teeth and infection at the root tip are both effectively invisible to the naked eye until they are advanced.
What is recovery like?
None. The image takes seconds, there is no injection and no after-effect, and you continue with the rest of the appointment immediately.
General guidance only. Your own recovery depends on your case, and the dentist treating you will tell you what to expect.
Questions you might have
Digital Dental X-ray
Are dental X-rays safe?
Digital dental X-rays use a very low radiation dose, considerably lower than the film systems they replaced, and are among the lowest-dose medical images taken. They are still only taken when there is a clinical reason, rather than routinely at every visit.
Can I have an X-ray while pregnant?
Tell the dentist you are pregnant before any imaging. Routine X-rays are usually deferred, while genuinely urgent ones can be taken with appropriate shielding if the information is needed to treat pain or infection that would otherwise go untreated.
How often do I need dental X-rays?
There is no fixed schedule. Frequency depends on your risk of decay, your gum condition and what treatment is planned. Someone with healthy teeth and no symptoms may go years between images; someone with active decay needs them more often.
Who does this
The 2 dentists who handle this treatment
All Nepal Medical Council registered. Call ahead to confirm which of them is in on the day you want to come.
Dr. Binaya Bhandari
Owner and Dental Surgeon
General Dentist
BDS
NMC 20701
Dr. Nilishma Amatya
General Dentist
BDS
NMC 39418
Thinking about Digital Dental X-ray?
Send us a message describing the problem. We will tell you whether this is the right treatment for it.
Check-up and consultation are free