Person smiling for a dental X-ray guide

Published September 8, 2025Written by Landmark Dental Care

Are Digital Dental X-rays Safe?

Digital dental X-rays are considered appropriate when a dentist expects the image to answer a clinical question that cannot be answered by examination alone. Like other medical X-rays, they use ionizing radiation, so safety depends on clinical justification and keeping exposure as low as reasonably achievable—not on treating imaging as routine for every visit.

Key Takeaways

  • Dental X-rays should be prescribed after clinical assessment when the expected diagnostic benefit outweighs the radiation risk.
  • Digital sensors can support dose-reduction practices, but they do not make imaging risk-free or automatically necessary.
  • ALARA means using only the images needed, with techniques that limit unnecessary exposure once imaging is justified.
  • Tell your dental team about pregnancy, recent imaging elsewhere, childhood status and any radiation concerns before X-rays are taken.

Why dentists prescribe X-rays only when useful

A dental X-ray is a diagnostic tool, not a fixed part of every appointment. Dentists use radiographs to evaluate structures that are not fully visible in the mouth, such as areas between teeth, roots, supporting bone and some restorations. The decision should follow a review of your history, symptoms and clinical findings.

The Canadian Dental Association’s position on control of X-radiation states that radiographs should be based on a clinical examination and a need for information that could contribute to diagnosis or treatment planning. The association also advises considering whether suitable recent images are already available and limiting the number of images to the minimum needed for diagnostic information.

The American Dental Association similarly notes that there is no one-size-fits-all interval for dental X-rays. Timing depends on current oral health, age, disease risk, signs and symptoms. Guidelines developed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration emphasize professional judgment after history and examination, rather than automatic imaging on a calendar alone.

Situations that may support imaging include new pain, swelling, trauma, suspected decay between teeth, evaluation of existing restorations, periodontal assessment, developmental questions in growing patients, or planning care that depends on information not visible clinically. Absence of symptoms does not always mean imaging is unnecessary, and presence of concern does not always mean every possible view is required.

If you already have recent images from another office, ask whether they can be reviewed before new exposures are made. Reusing adequate records is one practical way to avoid unnecessary repeats.

How digital imaging relates to radiation exposure

Digital dental X-rays typically use an electronic sensor instead of traditional film. The sensor captures the image and displays it on a computer for review. Digital receptors are among the dose-optimization options recognized in radiographic selection guidance because faster or more sensitive receptors can allow diagnostically useful images with techniques intended to limit exposure.

That does not mean digital imaging eliminates radiation, and it does not authorize unverified marketing claims about exact dose percentages. Exposure still depends on clinical need, the number and type of images, beam collimation, technique factors, equipment maintenance and operator skill. A digital system used without justification can still produce unnecessary exposure; careful selection of images matters as much as the receptor type.

Dental teams may also use measures such as limiting the beam to the area needed for the diagnostic task and taking only the views required to answer the clinical question. Specific protection practices can evolve as professional recommendations are updated, so ask your dentist what approaches are used in that office rather than relying on older assumptions.

For an overview of how digital imaging fits into diagnostic care at the practice, see Landmark Dental Care’s information on digital dental X-rays.

Pregnancy, children and other special situations

Pregnancy and childhood do not automatically forbid dental X-rays, but they do call for clear communication and careful justification.

The Canadian Dental Association notes that elective procedures may be deferred until after pregnancy, while pregnant patients who need essential or emergency dental care should receive the minimum number of radiographs needed for diagnosis. Health Canada’s Safety Code 30 for dental X-ray equipment likewise cites that guidance and underscores consideration of fetal exposure when imaging pregnant or possibly pregnant patients.

If you are pregnant, think you might be, or are trying to become pregnant, tell the dental team before imaging. Ask why the image is needed now, whether care can safely wait, and which views are essential for treatment decisions.

Children and adolescents may require imaging for development, trauma, decay risk or orthodontic assessment, but selection should still be individualized. Younger patients are generally considered more sensitive to ionizing radiation over a lifetime, which is one reason professional guidance emphasizes justification and optimization rather than routine screening with unnecessary exposures.

Also mention recent medical or dental imaging, radiation therapy history, or any physician advice related to radiation exposure. Your dentist can weigh that context when deciding whether new dental images are needed.

What ALARA means in a dental visit

ALARA stands for “as low as reasonably achievable.” In dentistry, it means that once a radiograph is justified, the dental team should keep exposure as low as practical while still obtaining the diagnostic information required.

According to ADA discussion of radiologic protection principles, ALARA includes justifying exposures in relation to their benefits, keeping necessary exposures as low as reasonably achievable, and keeping doses to patients and personnel well below allowable limits. ADA/FDA patient-selection guidance likewise frames radiographs as tools the dentist orders after weighing benefit against cumulative radiation risk from multiple sources over time.

In practical terms during a visit, ALARA may look like:

  • confirming there is a clinical question the image is expected to answer;
  • checking whether existing images are adequate;
  • selecting the fewest views that can provide essential information;
  • using appropriate receptor and technique choices for the diagnostic task;
  • avoiding retakes caused by preventable positioning or processing errors.

ALARA is not a promise of zero risk. It is a professional standard for balancing useful diagnostic information with responsible radiation stewardship.

Questions to ask before imaging

Asking questions helps you understand both the reason for imaging and the safeguards being used. Useful questions include:

  1. What are you looking for that you cannot see in my mouth? The answer should connect to a symptom, finding, risk factor or planning need.
  2. Could recent images from another office be used instead? Bring copies or ask for electronic transfer when possible.
  3. Which views are essential today? Ask whether any proposed images can wait without delaying needed care.
  4. How will the result change my options? Imaging is most useful when it can affect diagnosis, monitoring or treatment choices.
  5. What should I tell you about pregnancy, childhood health or prior radiation exposure? Share relevant details before the exposure is taken.

You can also ask how findings will be explained and whether images will be stored for future comparison. Digital records can support follow-up, but storage convenience alone is not a reason to take radiographs without clinical need.

FAQ

Are digital dental X-rays completely risk-free?

No. Digital dental X-rays use ionizing radiation, even though exposures for dental imaging are generally low compared with many medical imaging exams. Safety depends on prescribing images only when clinically useful and applying dose-reduction practices after that decision is made.

How often should I have dental X-rays?

There is no universal schedule that fits every patient. Frequency should reflect your oral health, age, disease risk, symptoms and whether previous images still answer the clinical question. Your dentist should explain why imaging is recommended at a given visit.

Should I refuse X-rays if I am pregnant?

Not automatically. Tell the dental team about pregnancy first. Elective imaging may be deferred, while essential or emergency care may still require the minimum radiographs needed for diagnosis. Discuss timing and alternatives with your dentist and, when appropriate, your physician.

Next step

If you have questions about imaging during an exam or want to understand how radiographs support diagnosis, learn about digital dental imaging at Landmark Dental Care or call 902-893-2919 to discuss an appointment at 125 Queen St in Truro.

References

This article provides general educational information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a dentist or other qualified health professional.