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Digital Dental X-Rays in Teeterville
Why does the dentist suggest X-rays? Teeterville patients can learn what each image shows, how often they are taken and how to ask about records and safety.
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Browse every dental service for TeetervilleSeeing beneath the surface
X-rays show what the eye cannot see.
Many dental problems begin out of sight, between teeth, under fillings, at root tips or in the bone. Dental X-rays help the dentist find decay, infection, bone loss, impacted teeth and other conditions early. Digital images can be viewed on screen right away, enlarged for detail and shared with you during the appointment.
Teeterville patients who visit our Port Dover office can ask why a particular image is recommended and what it is expected to show. If you have had X-rays taken elsewhere recently, the team can discuss whether those records could be transferred to avoid repeating them.
Why they are taken
Each image is meant to answer a clinical question.
Finding hidden problems
Bitewing X-rays show the crowns of back teeth and are good at revealing decay between teeth and early changes in bone levels. Periapical images show an entire tooth, including the root tip, helping detect infection or damage. Other views look at the jaws as a whole. The dentist will choose what is needed for your situation rather than taking every type at once.
Planning treatment
Before treatments such as root canals, extractions, implants or crowns, X-rays help the dentist understand the anatomy and plan safely, including the position of roots, nerves and sinuses. Follow-up images can show whether a treated area is healing as expected. Seeing the images for yourself can also help you understand why a particular recommendation has been made and what the dentist is watching.
How often
X-ray intervals are based on your individual risk.
Factors that affect timing
People with frequent cavities, gum disease or extensive dental work may need images more often than those with low risk and few fillings. Children’s X-ray schedules depend on age, growth and development. The dentist should explain why an interval is recommended, and you are welcome to ask how it relates to your own history and whether it might change over time.
Special situations
If you are pregnant or think you might be, tell the team before any X-ray is taken. Urgent images may still be needed in some cases, with appropriate precautions. Let the team know about recent images from other dental offices or medical settings, such as a CT scan of the head, which may reduce or remove the need for new ones.
During the X-ray
The process is quick and usually painless.
Positioning the sensor
A small sensor is placed in your mouth and you bite gently to hold it in place. The X-ray unit is positioned near your cheek, and the image appears on screen within seconds. A protective apron may be used. The whole process for a set of images usually takes only a few minutes, and you can ask for a short pause between images if needed.
Comfort tips
If you have a strong gag reflex, mention it before starting. Breathing slowly through your nose, taking breaks or using a different sensor position may help. Children may need extra explanation and encouragement, and a parent can often stay nearby. Let the team know if the sensor presses uncomfortably on the gums or palate so they can adjust it before taking the image.
Records and questions
Your images are part of your health record.
Reviewing your images
Ask the dentist to show you the images and point out anything of interest. Understanding what a shadow or darker area represents can make treatment recommendations much clearer. If something needs to be watched rather than treated right away, ask how it will be monitored at future visits and what change would lead the dentist to recommend treatment.
Sharing records with other providers
If you see a specialist or change dental offices, X-rays can often be shared with your written consent. This may save you from repeating images and gives the new provider a useful history to compare against. Ask the team at our Port Dover office how records requests work if you need copies sent to another provider or would like them for your own files.
Planning your appointment
Coming in for X-rays from Teeterville.
Contact our Port Dover office to book an exam or assessment. If you have recent X-rays from another office, mention it so the team can discuss requesting them before your visit.
Let the team know if you are pregnant, have a strong gag reflex or have had recent medical imaging of the head or jaw.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
X-ray questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
Are dental X-rays safe?
Dental X-rays use a low amount of radiation, and digital systems typically need less than older film. The dentist recommends images only when the benefit of the information outweighs the small exposure, and protective measures are used where appropriate.
Why can’t the dentist see cavities without X-rays?
Decay between teeth or under fillings is often hidden from view, even with good lighting and magnification. X-rays reveal these areas, as well as roots and bone, which simply cannot be seen during a visual exam of the mouth.
Can I refuse X-rays?
You can discuss your concerns and decline. The dentist will explain what information may be missed and how it could affect diagnosis and treatment planning. Together you can decide on a reasonable approach, such as delaying images or taking fewer.
Can my previous X-rays be used?
Recent images from another office may be useful, so ask about having them transferred before your visit. The dentist will decide whether they show enough detail of the area in question or whether new images are needed for an accurate assessment.
Do children need X-rays?
Children may need X-rays to check for decay between teeth and to monitor how adult teeth are developing. The frequency depends on age and cavity risk. The dentist will explain the reasons and answer any questions parents have before images are taken.
Where X-rays fit in
General Dentistry →Dental Exams and Checkups →
Regular exams catch small problems early. Teeterville patients can learn what a routine checkup includes, how often to come in and what to tell the dentist.
New Patient Dental Exams →
Joining a new dental office from Teeterville? See what a first comprehensive exam covers, which records help and how a personal care plan is put together.