Dentist explaining the benefits and risks of dental X-rays to a patient.

Are Your Dental X-Rays Really Necessary? What Patients Need to Know

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Navigating dental imaging: Understanding when X-rays are beneficial and how to minimize radiation exposure."

Dental X-rays are a common part of routine dental care, providing valuable images that help dentists diagnose and treat various oral health issues. However, concerns about radiation exposure have led many patients to question the necessity and frequency of these X-rays.

To ensure X-rays offer more benefits than risks, they should be performed or requested based on individual clinical needs. This means considering a patient's symptoms, medical history, and the potential impact on treatment planning.

This article breaks down a study evaluating X-ray use in a Brazilian dental school, shedding light on how imaging practices can be optimized to protect patients while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. This study is a case study into the over-usage of dental x-rays.

The Study: Initial X-Ray Practices in a Brazilian Dental School

Dentist explaining the benefits and risks of dental X-rays to a patient.

A retrospective study was conducted at a Brazilian dental school, analyzing the records of 3,100 adult patients treated over three years (2009-2011). The study focused on X-rays requested during initial patient care, considering reported symptoms and reasons for seeking treatment. The final sample comprised 1,567 patient records after excluding those without initial radiographic data.

Researchers collected data including age, gender, reasons for seeking treatment, presence of signs and symptoms, radiographic techniques used, and the number of X-rays taken. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, providing insights into current practices.

Key Findings: A total of 5,034 radiographs were taken, averaging 3.24 per patient.
Most Common Techniques: Periapical X-rays were the most frequently used, followed by panoramic X-rays.
Reasons for Seeking Care: Tooth extraction and pain were the primary reasons patients sought dental treatment.
Common Symptoms: Pain, periodontal disease, and soft tissue pathologies were the most common signs and symptoms noted.
Surprising Statistic: 35.41% of patients showed no apparent signs or symptoms.

The study revealed a wide variation in X-ray requests during initial dental visits, indicating a potential overuse of radiography. In over a third of cases, patients received X-rays despite the absence of any reported signs or symptoms, raising concerns about unnecessary radiation exposure.

Making Informed Decisions About Dental X-Rays

The study underscores the importance of carefully considering the necessity of each dental X-ray. Dentists should adhere to established guidelines, such as the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), to minimize radiation exposure while obtaining essential diagnostic information.

Patients play a crucial role in this process. By openly communicating with their dentists about their concerns and understanding the reasons behind X-ray recommendations, they can participate in making informed decisions about their dental care.

Ultimately, responsible use of dental X-rays balances the benefits of accurate diagnosis with the risks of radiation exposure, ensuring optimal health outcomes for patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/rou.2014.046, Alternate LINK

Title: Exames Radiográficos Solicitados No Atendimento Inicial De Pacientes Em Uma Faculdade De Odontologia Brasileira

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Revista de Odontologia da UNESP

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Lucas Borin Moura, Marco Aurélio Plá Blasco, Melissa Feres Damian

Published: 2014-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are Dental X-rays and why are they important?

Dental X-rays are essential diagnostic tools used in dentistry to visualize the inside of your teeth and surrounding structures. They help dentists detect issues that are not visible during a regular oral exam, such as cavities between teeth, infections, bone loss, and other abnormalities. The purpose of Dental X-rays is to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of various oral health issues. By providing detailed images, Dental X-rays allow dentists to make informed decisions about your treatment plan.

What is the importance of the study findings regarding Dental X-ray usage?

The significance of this information lies in its ability to optimize patient care and minimize unnecessary radiation exposure. The study highlights that 35.41% of patients in the Brazilian dental school received Dental X-rays without any reported signs or symptoms. This overuse is concerning because it subjects patients to radiation without a clear diagnostic benefit. The study, by analyzing the records, provides a valuable insight into potential areas of improvement in Dental X-ray practices. Adhering to the ALARA principle and considering individual clinical needs can help dentists reduce radiation exposure while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

What are the most common types of Dental X-ray techniques?

The main types of Dental X-ray techniques include Periapical X-rays and panoramic X-rays. Periapical X-rays provide a detailed view of a single tooth, from the crown to the root, and the surrounding bone. Panoramic X-rays, on the other hand, capture a wide view of the entire mouth, including all the teeth, upper and lower jaws, and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The study found that Periapical X-rays were the most frequently used. Each technique serves a different diagnostic purpose, and the choice depends on the specific needs of the patient and the suspected issue.

What is the ALARA principle and why is it important for Dental X-rays?

The ALARA principle is crucial in the context of Dental X-rays because it guides dental professionals to keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. This involves using techniques such as lead aprons, fast film or digital sensors, and collimation to reduce the amount of radiation used. Applying the ALARA principle helps dentists balance the need for diagnostic information with the potential risks of radiation exposure, ensuring patient safety. Implementing this principle protects patients from unnecessary radiation.

What does the study reveal about the use of Dental X-rays?

A wide variation in Dental X-ray requests during initial dental visits indicates a potential overuse of radiography. In over a third of the cases analyzed, patients received Dental X-rays despite the absence of any reported signs or symptoms. This raises concerns about the risks associated with Dental X-ray exposure, especially when not clinically justified. It's important that dentists consider individual clinical needs and established guidelines to ensure that Dental X-rays are performed or requested only when necessary. This practice helps to minimize radiation exposure while still providing important diagnostic information for patient care.