Reviewed by Dr. Amanda Murphy, DMD, August 9, 2026
Not at every visit, and not on a fixed schedule. X-rays earn their place when they are likely to change what we do: to confirm something, rule something out, or catch a problem in a place no examination can reach. That is the standard we use at Winnetka Dental Group, and it means some patients are imaged more often than others, on purpose.
Here is what X-rays actually show, how often they make sense, and honest context on the radiation question.
What X-rays show that an exam can’t
A careful visual exam sees a lot, but teeth touch each other, and much of what matters sits under the surface. X-rays reveal:
- Decay between teeth, where cavities often start and where no mirror can see
- What is happening under old fillings and crowns: restorations can hide new decay beneath them
- The bone supporting your teeth, which gum disease erodes silently
- Root problems and infection at the tip of a tooth, which can be present before anything hurts
- Wisdom teeth and their position, including teeth that never erupted
- Changes over time, because comparing today’s image to last year’s is often more telling than either image alone
Skipping X-rays entirely does not make these problems less likely; it just means finding them later, when they are usually larger and more involved to fix.
How often is often enough?
It depends on your risk, and it should. A typical pattern looks like this:
- A baseline set as a new patient, so your dentist can see the full picture once, properly
- Routine cavity-detection X-rays (bitewings) on an interval matched to your history; many adults with healthy mouths go a year or more between them, while someone with active decay or lots of dental work benefits from a shorter interval
- A full or panoramic view every several years, or when something specific calls for it; implant planning and wisdom-tooth evaluation, for example, are cases where we use 3D imaging when it is genuinely needed
What we do not do is image by habit. If we recommend an X-ray, you can ask why, and you will get a real answer: usually a specific tooth, a specific question, and what the image will tell us.
The radiation question, honestly
It is reasonable to ask. Modern digital sensors need only a fraction of the exposure old film did, and a routine set of cavity-detection X-rays involves a dose in the neighborhood of what you receive from ordinary background sources (the environment we all live in) over a day or so. Low dose is not the same as zero, which is exactly why our standard is that an image has to be worth taking: when it is likely to change your care, the information is worth far more than the exposure; when it is not, we wait.
If you are pregnant or trying to be, tell us. Professional guidance considers dental X-rays low-risk during pregnancy, and urgent problems should still be diagnosed properly; untreated infection is its own risk. For routine imaging with no pressing question behind it, we will happily time things around your comfort and your care team’s advice.
Where the iTero scanner fits in
At checkups we also use the iTero digital scanner, which builds a 3D picture of your teeth without any radiation, and its near-infrared imaging can help us keep an eye on certain spots between visits. It is a useful monitoring companion, but it does not replace X-rays. The scanner sees surfaces and some of what is just beneath them; it cannot see bone levels, roots, or under existing dental work. The two tools answer different questions, and we use each where it is strong.
Our approach, in one sentence
Conservative dentistry means gathering the information that changes decisions, no more, no less, and showing you what we see, on screen, so the reasoning is yours to share. That has been the way of this practice since 1988.
Common questions from patients
Can I decline X-rays?
Yes. It is always your choice. We will tell you honestly what we can and cannot know without them, and what we would be watching blind. Long stretches without any imaging limit early detection, which tends to work against the conservative, catch-it-small care most people actually want. If cost or comfort is the concern, say so; both usually have workable answers.
Are dental X-rays safe for kids?
Children are imaged thoughtfully: only when the finding would change their care, with modern low-dose digital equipment. Kids’ teeth touch just like adults’ do, and decay between baby teeth moves quickly, so there are times imaging genuinely protects them. We are glad to walk any parent through the reasoning before a single image is taken.
What are bitewings, exactly?
The small routine X-rays where you bite on a tab: they show the crowns of your upper and lower back teeth and the areas between them, which is where hidden decay most often starts. They are the workhorse of cavity detection.
I had X-rays at my previous dentist. Do I need new ones?
Maybe not. Have them sent to us, or ask us to request them, and recent images become your baseline here. Whether anything new is needed depends on how current and complete they are. Our new patient page explains how records transfers work.
Do X-rays hurt?
No. The sensor sits in your mouth for a few seconds per image. Some people find the sensor’s edges awkward; tell us and we will adjust the placement and pace.
What does this cost if I don’t have insurance?
Our front office will give you clear numbers before your visit. Call or text (847) 441-5939. If you have insurance benefits, we file claims on your behalf. Our membership plans fold routine imaging into preventive care for a flat monthly amount.
Questions about your own situation?
Request an appointment or call or text (847) 441-5939. Winnetka Dental Group, 715 Elm St, Winnetka, IL 60093.
Related reading: What Happens at a Dental Checkup? · How Often Should You Really See a Dentist? · General dentistry at WDG
This information is general education, not a diagnosis.
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