Are X-rays really necessary?

Not in every case. Since gum and bone problems occur slowly over time, they are often not felt or detected from the surface. So, we take x-rays only when necessary to detect decay between the teeth and areas not visible to the naked eye. X-rays are also effective for detecting bone loss and infections at root surfaces of teeth. Many people are understandably concerned about excessive radiation. That’s why we take them only when we feel they are necessary and at the lowest effective levels.