Why imaging is used in dentistry
An intraoral examination shows tooth surfaces and the condition of the gums, but it does not reach the places where part of what needs treatment is happening: inside the tooth, in the alveolar bone, in the sinuses and the temporomandibular joints. An X-ray complements the clinical picture and shows what a mirror cannot.
- Caries beneath a filling and on contact surfaces, invisible to the naked eye.
- The number, length and course of root canals before endodontic treatment.
- Periapical lesions and how they heal after treatment.
- Root resorption, cracks and fractures.
- The volume and quality of bone before implant placement.
- The position of impacted and unerupted teeth and the relationship between the jaws before orthodontic treatment.
- Changes in the maxillary sinuses and the temporomandibular joints.
We do not take images routinely at every visit. The dentist decides after the examination, guided by clinical indications and the ALARA principle, that is keeping the dose as low as reasonably achievable.
The examinations we carry out
Periapical (intraoral) X-ray
Covers a single tooth or a short section of the arch with high detail resolution. Used most often in root canal treatment: to assess canal length, check instrument position and verify how well the canal has been filled. It takes a few seconds and the image appears on the monitor almost immediately.
Panoramic X-ray
A single image of both dental arches, the maxillary sinuses, the mandible and the joints. It serves for general assessment: the number and position of teeth, impacted teeth, the outline of the bone. Because of the way the image is formed it has lower detail resolution than a periapical film, so it does not replace one when a single tooth is being diagnosed.
Cephalometric X-ray
A lateral image of the head showing the bones of the facial skeleton and the outline of the soft tissues. It is the basis of cephalometric analysis in orthodontics: angular and linear measurements from which the dentist assesses the relationship of the maxilla to the mandible, the inclination of the incisors and the pattern of facial growth. It is also used when planning treatment combined with surgery.
CBCT scan
A three-dimensional scan that can be viewed in axial, sagittal and coronal sections. It allows assessment of bone volume and structure, the course of the inferior alveolar nerve, the boundaries of the sinuses, canal anatomy that departs from the typical pattern, and lesions not visible on two-dimensional images. The dose is higher than in 2D imaging, so we use CBCT when a flat image is not enough to make a decision.
What the images look like
Below are examples of images taken in our imaging room. Interpreting an image is always the dentist's task; the image alone is not a diagnosis.
How CBCT differs from a panoramic X-ray
| Feature | Panoramic X-ray | CBCT scan |
|---|---|---|
| Image | two-dimensional, structures overlap | three-dimensional, sections in three planes |
| Typical use | general assessment of the dentition, impacted teeth, overview before treatment planning | implantology, surgery, difficult endodontic cases, orthodontics |
| Dose | lower | higher, depending on the field of view |
| Duration | about fifteen seconds | from fifteen to several dozen seconds |
The choice of examination belongs to the dentist and follows from the question that has to be answered. A wider field of view is not better in itself: the field (FOV) is matched to the area of interest so that tissues the examination does not concern are not exposed.
How the examination proceeds
- The dentist establishes the indication and the type of image, and the staff remind you to remove metal objects.
- You take your position in the machine: for a periapical film with a sensor inside the mouth, for panoramic and CBCT imaging with your chin supported and your head stabilised in the rests.
- The exposure lasts from a few to several dozen seconds. The machine may rotate around your head; the examination is non-invasive and only requires staying still.
- The digital image appears on the monitor and can be enlarged and measured straight away.
- The dentist goes through the image and what it means for the treatment plan.
No fasting is required and there is no need to change the medication you take. For children and for people with limited mobility the staff adjust the position and the exposure settings to the patient's age, body weight and abilities.
How to prepare
- Remove metal objects from the head and neck area: earrings, chains, clips, hairbands, hearing aids, and sometimes removable dentures and orthodontic aligners. Metal creates artefacts and reduces the diagnostic value of the image.
- Tell the staff if you are pregnant or think you may be, including when you are not certain.
- Bring earlier images and reports if you have them. A comparison with a previous examination is sometimes more informative than a new image alone and helps avoid repeating an exposure.
- You do not need to fast or follow any special diet.
- Be ready to stay still briefly: in panoramic and CBCT imaging, head movement blurs the image and forces a repeat.
Limitations and contraindications
An X-ray is taken only where there is a justified clinical indication. It is not a screening test carried out just in case.
Pregnancy
A relative contraindication. An image is taken only when it is diagnostically necessary, after weighing the risks and benefits, with the exposure field limited and shielding used. Tell the staff before the examination if you are or may be pregnant.
Children
Indications are assessed with particular care and exposure settings are matched to age and body weight. We keep imaging in children to the necessary minimum. More about how we run appointments for our youngest patients is on the paediatric dentistry page.
Repeating examinations
Repeating images without a new indication is not recommended. It is worth telling the dentist about examinations carried out in recent weeks, including at another practice.
What an image does not show
A radiograph shows differences in tissue density, so some changes, especially early ones and those affecting soft tissue, may not be visible on it. A normal image does not rule out disease, and a diagnosis always rests on the clinical examination together with the image.
Equipment and software
The imaging room works with digital X-ray units for intraoral, panoramic and cephalometric images and with a CBCT scanner. The practice holds the permits required to operate and use X-ray equipment, carries out dose measurements and is subject to sanitary supervision; the details are described in the statement on the impact of our activity on human health and the environment.
Images are analysed in diagnostic software that keeps two-dimensional images and 3D scans in one patient record. In cephalometric analysis we use automatic tracing of measurement points; the dentist verifies and corrects the result by hand, because the diagnostic decision rests with them, not with the software.
Receiving your images and records
Images are saved on electronic media. Single images can be sent by encrypted e-mail. Charges for issuing records are given in the NL Clinic price list, and the rules for processing data are described in our GDPR notice.
When imaging is needed before treatment
- Root canal treatment: assessing the number and length of canals before treatment and checking the result afterwards.
- Treatment under the microscope: identifying unusual anatomy and the reasons an earlier treatment failed.
- Implants: measuring bone volume and distances from anatomical structures, most often on the basis of CBCT.
- Dental surgery: the position of impacted teeth, cysts, inflammatory lesions.
- Orthodontic treatment: cephalometric analysis and assessment of unerupted teeth.
- Prosthetics: assessing support and the condition of abutment teeth before a restoration.
Frequently asked questions about X-rays and CBCT
Is an X-ray necessary at the first appointment?
Not always. We take an X-ray when there is a justified clinical indication, for example when the tissue around a root, the course of the canals or a lesion invisible on examination has to be assessed. The dentist decides after examining the mouth.
How does a CBCT scan differ from a panoramic X-ray?
A panoramic X-ray is a two-dimensional image of both dental arches, while CBCT produces a three-dimensional scan viewed in several planes. CBCT involves a higher dose, so it is used when a two-dimensional image is not enough to make a decision.
How should I prepare for the examination?
No fasting or special diet is needed. Before entering the room you remove metal objects from the head and neck area, including earrings, chains and hair clips, and sometimes removable dentures and orthodontic aligners.
Can an X-ray be taken during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a relative contraindication. The examination is carried out only when it is diagnostically necessary, after weighing the risks and benefits. Tell the staff before the examination if you are or may be pregnant.
Does it hurt?
No. The exposure itself cannot be felt. With a periapical film the sensor in the mouth can be uncomfortable, especially at the back, and you can say so to the person taking the image.
Will I receive a copy of the images?
Yes. Images are saved on electronic media, and single images can be sent by encrypted e-mail. Charges for issuing records are listed in the price list.
Do you take images referred by another practice?
Yes, we carry out examinations for patients referred by other practices. When booking, please say which image the referral concerns and which area.
How long does the examination take?
A periapical image takes a few seconds, a panoramic or cephalometric one about fifteen, and a CBCT scan from fifteen to several dozen seconds depending on the size of the imaged area. The appointment itself, including preparation, takes a few minutes.
Book an examination in Katowice
NL Clinic, ul. Obroki 68, 40-833 Katowice. Telephone bookings Monday to Friday, 8:00–20:00. When booking, tell us which examination the referral concerns, and bring the referral with you if it comes from another practice.
Sources: European Commission, "Radiation Protection 172: Cone Beam CT for Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology. Evidence Based Guidelines", 2012; Polish Atomic Law Act of 29 November 2000, art. 33c et seq. (justification and optimisation of radiological protection).
Published: 31 July 2026. The range of examinations, the equipment available and current prices are confirmed by the practice reception.