Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Low Radiation, Clear Answers
Willowgreen Dental uses low-dose digital imaging that gives our team and you a clearer, safer picture of your oral health. See your results in real time and make informed decisions about your care.
What X-Rays Reveal That a Visual Exam Cannot
A clinical exam tells your dentist a great deal, but it cannot show what lies between teeth, below the gumline, or inside a root. Dental X-rays fill this gap, allowing us to catch problems early, before they become painful, expensive, or more complex to treat.
At Willowgreen Dental, we practice the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), meaning we take only the images that are clinically justified. We never take X-rays out of habit.
Early Cavity Detection
Spots decay between teeth before it spreads or causes pain
Bone Loss Monitoring
Tracks gum disease progression and jaw bone density over time
Root & Abscess Diagnosis
Reveals infections at root tips invisible to the naked eye
Treatment Planning
Essential for implants, orthodontics, wisdom teeth, and surgery
Digital Dental X-Rays: Up to 90% Less Radiation
Traditional film X-rays required higher radiation levels and toxic chemical processing. Digital radiography changed that entirely. Modern sensors capture images electronically. No film, no chemicals, no waiting.
Perspective check: A full set of four bitewing X-rays exposes you to approximately 0.005 mSv, less radiation than you receive during a 1-hour flight from Saskatoon to Toronto (~0.02 mSv) and roughly equivalent to a single hour of background radiation from your natural environment.
- Up to 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays
- Instant images. Displayed on screen in seconds, no developing
- Higher image clarity. Digital sensors resolve finer detail than film
- No chemical waste. Better for patients and the environment
- Stored securely. Your images are retained digitally for easy comparison at future visits
- Lead apron shielding. Used on all patients as a standard precaution
Radiation Exposure Comparison
| Source | Exposure (mSv) | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Digital bitewing X-ray (4 images) | 0.005 | Very Low |
| Natural background (per day) | 0.008 | Very Low |
| Saskatoon → Toronto flight | 0.020 | Low |
| Chest X-ray | 0.10 | Low |
| Traditional film dental X-ray | 0.04–0.15 | Higher |
| Annual background average (Canada) | 1.8 | Reference |
Sources: Health Canada, ADA, ICRP. Values are approximate averages.
Types of Dental X-Rays We Use and Why
Different X-rays serve different diagnostic purposes. Your dentist or hygienist will explain exactly which images are needed and why at each appointment.
Bitewing X-Rays: Most Common
Show the crowns of upper and lower back teeth and the bone level between them. Used to detect cavities between teeth, bone loss from early gum disease, and wear around existing fillings. Recommended every 12–18 months for most adults; annually for higher-risk patients.
Periapical X-Rays
Capture the entire tooth from crown to root tip, including surrounding bone. Used to diagnose abscesses, cysts, root fractures, and impacted teeth. Essential before root canals, extractions, or implant planning.
Panoramic X-Rays
A single image of the entire mouth: all teeth, both jaws, sinuses, and surrounding bone. Used for wisdom tooth assessment, implant planning, orthodontic evaluation, and identifying cysts, tumours, or jaw abnormalities. Typically recommended every 3–5 years.
Full-Mouth Series (FMX)
A comprehensive set of 14–21 images providing a complete picture of all teeth and bone levels. Typically taken on a new patient visit or every 3–5 years as a baseline update. Includes both bitewing and periapical views for a thorough diagnostic record.
See Exactly What We See, in Real Time
Have you ever received a treatment recommendation and wondered, "Is this really necessary?" Our high-definition intraoral camera eliminates that doubt entirely.
This pen-sized camera fits comfortably inside your mouth and streams live, magnified images directly to a screen in front of you. Cracks, worn enamel, gum recession, early decay, all visible in sharp detail before we explain a single recommendation.
- See cracks and decay up close, exactly as your dentist sees them
- Understand treatment clearly. Visual context removes guesswork
- Confident, informed decisions. No pressure, no surprises
- Progress tracking. Compare images over time to monitor changes
- Great for second opinions. Images can be shared digitally
We believe transparency is fundamental to trust. You should understand every step of your care before it begins, not after. Our intraoral camera makes that possible.
Electric Handpieces: Quieter, Smoother Treatment
For many people, the sound and vibration of a traditional air-driven drill is the primary source of dental anxiety. Electric handpieces address this directly. The difference is significant.
Unlike air-driven tools that rely on compressed air to spin a turbine (producing that familiar high-pitched whine), electric handpieces use a precision motor. They deliver consistent torque regardless of tooth resistance, which means less pressure, fewer passes, and a smoother result.
- Dramatically less noise. No high-pitched air-driven whine
- Reduced vibration. Smoother, more controlled feel
- More precise cutting. Consistent torque avoids stalling
- Shorter appointments. Efficiency means less time in the chair
If dental anxiety is a concern for you, we can combine our electric handpieces with sedation dentistry options to create a fully comfortable experience. We offer options from nitrous oxide to oral sedation depending on your needs.
Safe for Children, Pregnancy, and High-Risk Patients
Dental X-Rays During Pregnancy: What Saskatoon Patients Need to Know
Pregnancy raises understandable concerns about any procedure involving radiation. The evidence is reassuring: a dental bitewing exposes you to less than 0.01 mSv, which is thousands of times below the 50 mSv threshold considered a concern during pregnancy.
Both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirm digital dental X-rays are safe when clinically necessary during pregnancy.
- Radiation is localized to your mouth. The fetus is not in the beam
- We use a lead apron and thyroid collar on all patients as standard
- We defer non-urgent X-rays to the second trimester when possible
- Untreated infections during pregnancy carry greater risk than imaging
Children's Dental X-Rays
Digital sensors expose children to approximately 0.002–0.004 mSv per bitewing, a fraction of daily background radiation. X-rays help monitor tooth development, spot early cavities, and track jaw growth. We use child-specific sensor sizes and always use lead aprons. Learn more about our children's dentistry approach.
How Often Should You Get X-Rays?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. As a general guide: healthy adults typically need bitewing X-rays every 12–18 months; high-risk patients (prone to decay or gum disease) may need annual imaging; panoramic X-rays are recommended every 3–5 years. New patients receive a full baseline set. We assess your individual needs at every visit.
Looking for a Second Opinion?
If you've received a diagnosis elsewhere and want clarity, we're happy to help. With our digital imaging and HD intraoral camera, you can see exactly what's happening in your mouth, and make a confident, informed decision about treatment.
Answers to Common Questions About Dental X-Rays in Saskatoon
These are the questions our Saskatoon patients ask most often. If yours isn't here, call us directly at (306) 955-2400 and we'll be happy to answer.
Willowgreen Dental: Digital Imaging
📍 #104 – 1848 McOrmond Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7S 0A5
Yes. Digital sensors reduce radiation by up to 90% compared to traditional film. A child's bitewing exposes them to approximately 0.002–0.004 mSv, well below any threshold of concern. We use child-specific sensor sizes, lead aprons, and take X-rays only when clinically necessary.
Yes. A dental X-ray exposes you to less than 0.01 mSv, thousands of times below the 50 mSv pregnancy threshold. The ADA and FDA confirm they're safe when clinically necessary. We use a lead apron, thyroid collar, and defer non-urgent imaging to the second trimester when possible.
Healthy adults with no active concerns typically need bitewing X-rays every 12–18 months and a full-mouth series every 3–5 years. Higher-risk patients, prone to decay or gum disease, may benefit from annual bitewings. Children may need them more frequently during growth. We assess your individual needs at each visit.
Yes. Patients have the right to decline imaging. However, without X-rays, certain conditions between teeth, at roots, or below the gumline cannot be detected visually. Some treatment planning (implants, root canals, wisdom teeth) requires imaging to proceed safely. We will always explain why imaging is recommended before taking it.
Bitewing X-rays show crowns and inter-proximal bone, ideal for spotting cavities and early bone loss. Periapical X-rays capture the entire tooth from crown to root, used for abscesses and root problems. Panoramic X-rays show the full mouth in one image, used for implant planning, wisdom teeth, and jaw assessment.
Our intraoral camera streams live HD images of your mouth directly to a chairside screen. You can see cracks, decay, worn fillings, and gum recession exactly as we see them, helping you fully understand why any treatment is recommended. It removes all guesswork and builds trust in your care.
Yes. Electric handpieces use precision motors instead of air-driven turbines, eliminating the high-pitched whine associated with dental anxiety. They produce significantly less noise and vibration while delivering more consistent cutting force. making treatment smoother, shorter, and more comfortable.
A set of four digital bitewing X-rays exposes you to roughly 0.005 mSv, less than one hour of natural background radiation, and less than the exposure from a short flight. A chest X-ray is 0.10 mSv, twenty times more. Canada's average annual background radiation is about 1.8 mSv.