Dental X-rays provide valuable information about areas of your mouth that cannot always be seen during a normal examination. They may be recommended when a dental practitioner needs a clearer view of your teeth, roots, jawbone or surrounding structures before making a diagnosis or planning treatment.
Laomai Medical Centre provides dental X-rays in Pretoria for adults and children when imaging is clinically necessary. An X-ray may help identify hidden decay, infection, impacted teeth, changes around tooth roots and other concerns beneath the gums or inside the supporting bone.
From the moment we arrived at Laomai Medical Centre, we were welcomed with so much kindness and professionalism. The dentist was absolutely amazing — she made my daughter feel safe, comfortable, and completely at ease. She explained everything, reassured her throughout the process, and created such a warm environment.
My daughter ended up having her teeth extracted and cleaned, and I cannot believe how smoothly everything went. She felt no pain and was relaxed throughout the entire appointment. Seeing her sit comfortably in the dental chair after being so nervous was such a relief.
We travelled all the way from Pretoria East to Pretoria Central, and it was honestly worth it. We did not expect such efficient, fast, and caring service.
Thank you so much, Doctor, for your patience, kindness, and for making my daughter’s first dental experience such a positive one. We are truly grateful and would recommend you a thousand times! ❤️🦷
thorough screening of the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities is conducted,Rather than harsh manual scraping, a modern ultrasonic scaler is used. It uses high-frequency vibrations and warm, pressurized water to gently remove tartar and plaque, crazy experience I feel normal again 😅. Was exciting too.
When Are Dental X-rays Recommended in Pretoria?
A dental practitioner can learn a great deal by examining your teeth, gums and mouth. However, some dental problems develop between neighbouring teeth, underneath existing fillings, below the gumline or around the roots of a tooth.
These areas may not be clearly visible during an ordinary dental check-up. A dental X-ray creates an image of the teeth and surrounding structures, giving the practitioner additional information when investigating a symptom, monitoring a concern or planning treatment.
X-rays are not automatically required at every dental appointment. They should be recommended when the information they provide could assist with diagnosis or affect the treatment decision.
What Can a Dental X-ray Reveal?
The information shown on a dental X-ray depends on the type of image taken and the area being examined. It may help the practitioner assess concerns that cannot be confirmed through visual examination alone.
Dental X-rays may assist in identifying:
- Tooth decay hidden between teeth or beneath an existing restoration
- Infection or inflammation around the root of a tooth
- Changes in the bone supporting the teeth
- Impacted, unerupted or developing teeth
- The shape, length and position of tooth roots
- Damage extending beneath the visible part of a tooth
- Abscesses, cysts or other unusual areas requiring assessment
- The development and position of permanent teeth in children
An X-ray finding does not always mean that extensive treatment will be required. The image must be considered together with your symptoms, dental history and clinical examination before recommendations are made.
Dental X-rays for Toothache and Dental Pain in Pretoria
Tooth pain can have several possible causes. Decay may have reached the deeper layers of a tooth, an old filling may have failed, the tooth may be cracked, or an infection may be developing around the root.
Because different dental problems can produce similar symptoms, an X-ray may be necessary to help determine where the pain is coming from and how far the condition has progressed.
The results can assist the practitioner in deciding whether the tooth may need a filling, root canal treatment, extraction or another form of care. Dental pain can also sometimes be felt in a different part of the mouth from its true source, making a proper examination and suitable imaging particularly important.
Contact the practice promptly when pain is severe, worsening or accompanied by facial swelling, fever, difficulty swallowing or difficulty opening your mouth.
From the moment we arrived at Laomai Medical Centre, we were welcomed with so much kindness and professionalism. The dentist was absolutely amazing — she made my daughter feel safe, comfortable, and completely at ease. She explained everything, reassured her throughout the process, and created such a warm environment.
My daughter ended up having her teeth extracted and cleaned, and I cannot believe how smoothly everything went. She felt no pain and was relaxed throughout the entire appointment. Seeing her sit comfortably in the dental chair after being so nervous was such a relief.
We travelled all the way from Pretoria East to Pretoria Central, and it was honestly worth it. We did not expect such efficient, fast, and caring service.
Thank you so much, Doctor, for your patience, kindness, and for making my daughter’s first dental experience such a positive one. We are truly grateful and would recommend you a thousand times! ❤️🦷
thorough screening of the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities is conducted,Rather than harsh manual scraping, a modern ultrasonic scaler is used. It uses high-frequency vibrations and warm, pressurized water to gently remove tartar and plaque, crazy experience I feel normal again 😅. Was exciting too.
Dental X-rays Before Tooth Extractions in Pretoria
Before removing a tooth, the dental practitioner may need to understand the number, shape and position of its roots. An X-ray may also show whether the tooth is fully erupted, broken beneath the gumline, impacted or positioned close to surrounding structures.
This information can help determine whether the tooth may be removed through a routine extraction or whether a more complex procedure or referral could be necessary.
Imaging can be especially important when assessing wisdom teeth. These teeth may grow at an angle, remain partly covered by gum tissue or become trapped against neighbouring teeth. The X-ray findings help guide the treatment discussion and the safest next step.
X-rays for Root Canal and Restorative Treatment in Pretoria
When decay or damage reaches the inner part of a tooth, the practitioner may need to assess the roots and surrounding bone before recommending treatment. An X-ray can help identify changes around the root that may indicate infection or inflammation.
Dental imaging may also assist with planning fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures and other restorative treatments. The practitioner may need to evaluate the condition of the remaining tooth structure, supporting bone and neighbouring teeth before deciding which treatment option is suitable.
Where previous dental work is causing discomfort, an X-ray may help assess what is happening beneath the filling, crown or other restoration.
What Happens During a Dental X-ray?
Taking a dental X-ray is generally a short process. The dental team will position you according to the area that needs to be examined and explain what you need to do.
For some images, a small sensor or film is placed inside the mouth while you gently bite to hold it in position. Other types of dental imaging use equipment positioned outside the mouth. The method selected depends on the tooth or surrounding structures that need to be assessed.
You will need to remain still for a brief moment while the image is taken. The X-ray itself is painless, although placing a sensor inside the mouth may feel slightly uncomfortable for patients with a sensitive gag reflex or a smaller mouth.
Tell the dental team when you feel uncomfortable. They may be able to adjust the positioning or give you a short break before completing the image.
From the moment we arrived at Laomai Medical Centre, we were welcomed with so much kindness and professionalism. The dentist was absolutely amazing — she made my daughter feel safe, comfortable, and completely at ease. She explained everything, reassured her throughout the process, and created such a warm environment.
My daughter ended up having her teeth extracted and cleaned, and I cannot believe how smoothly everything went. She felt no pain and was relaxed throughout the entire appointment. Seeing her sit comfortably in the dental chair after being so nervous was such a relief.
We travelled all the way from Pretoria East to Pretoria Central, and it was honestly worth it. We did not expect such efficient, fast, and caring service.
Thank you so much, Doctor, for your patience, kindness, and for making my daughter’s first dental experience such a positive one. We are truly grateful and would recommend you a thousand times! ❤️🦷
thorough screening of the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities is conducted,Rather than harsh manual scraping, a modern ultrasonic scaler is used. It uses high-frequency vibrations and warm, pressurized water to gently remove tartar and plaque, crazy experience I feel normal again 😅. Was exciting too.
Are Dental X-rays Safe?
Dental X-rays use a small amount of ionising radiation. They should only be taken when the expected benefit to diagnosis or treatment planning justifies the exposure.
The practitioner will consider your current concern, age, dental history, risk factors and any available previous records before deciding whether an X-ray is needed. This helps avoid unnecessary or repeated imaging.
Patients should mention if they have recently had dental X-rays taken at another practice. Where the previous images are recent, suitable and available, they may assist with your assessment and reduce unnecessary repetition.
Dental X-rays During Pregnancy
Tell the dental team if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are trying to conceive. This allows the practitioner to consider your dental needs and decide whether imaging is required immediately or can safely be postponed.
Necessary dental X-rays can be taken during pregnancy when they are required to diagnose significant pain, infection or another concern that should not be left untreated. Appropriate radiation-safety measures will be followed.
Elective imaging that is not clinically necessary may be delayed where appropriate. However, pregnant patients should not avoid contacting the practice when experiencing toothache, swelling or possible infection, as delaying assessment may allow the problem to worsen.
Dental X-rays for Children in Pretoria
Children do not automatically need X-rays at every dental visit. The decision depends on factors such as the child’s age, symptoms, dental development, previous treatment and risk of tooth decay.
An X-ray may be recommended when decay is suspected between teeth, when a child has pain or swelling, or when the practitioner needs to assess developing permanent teeth.
Because children’s mouths continue changing as they grow, dental imaging can provide useful information about how permanent teeth are developing and whether they are erupting as expected.
Parents are encouraged to ask why an X-ray is being recommended and how the results will contribute to the child’s dental care.
From the moment we arrived at Laomai Medical Centre, we were welcomed with so much kindness and professionalism. The dentist was absolutely amazing — she made my daughter feel safe, comfortable, and completely at ease. She explained everything, reassured her throughout the process, and created such a warm environment.
My daughter ended up having her teeth extracted and cleaned, and I cannot believe how smoothly everything went. She felt no pain and was relaxed throughout the entire appointment. Seeing her sit comfortably in the dental chair after being so nervous was such a relief.
We travelled all the way from Pretoria East to Pretoria Central, and it was honestly worth it. We did not expect such efficient, fast, and caring service.
Thank you so much, Doctor, for your patience, kindness, and for making my daughter’s first dental experience such a positive one. We are truly grateful and would recommend you a thousand times! ❤️🦷
thorough screening of the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities is conducted,Rather than harsh manual scraping, a modern ultrasonic scaler is used. It uses high-frequency vibrations and warm, pressurized water to gently remove tartar and plaque, crazy experience I feel normal again 😅. Was exciting too.
Do You Need an X-ray at Every Dental Check-up?
There is no single X-ray schedule that is suitable for every patient. Some people may need imaging more often because of ongoing treatment, frequent tooth decay, gum disease or a particular dental concern. Others may go for longer periods without requiring another image.
The decision should be based on your individual dental health and what is found during the consultation. New X-rays should not be taken simply because a set period has passed or because you are visiting a different practice.
The dental practitioner will first discuss your symptoms and examine your mouth. An X-ray will then be recommended when it is expected to provide information that could influence diagnosis or treatment.
Understanding Your Dental X-ray Results
After reviewing the image, the dental practitioner will explain any relevant findings and how they relate to your symptoms or examination.
You may be shown areas of decay, infection, bone changes, impacted teeth or other concerns visible on the image. Where no immediate problem is identified, the X-ray may still provide useful information for monitoring your oral health over time.
When treatment is recommended, you should understand what has been identified, why treatment may be necessary and what options are available. More complex findings may require additional assessment, monitoring or referral to another dental professional.
Dental X-rays for Patients Across Pretoria
Laomai Medical Centre welcomes patients from Pretoria and surrounding areas who require dental X-rays as part of a consultation, diagnosis or treatment plan. Our dental practice is conveniently located in Pretoria Central and is accessible to patients from Sunnyside, Arcadia, Hatfield, Muckleneuk, Gezina, Pretoria West, Pretoria North and nearby communities.
Whether you are experiencing toothache, preparing for a tooth extraction or need imaging to support another dental treatment, our team can assess your concern and explain whether a dental X-ray is appropriate.
From the moment we arrived at Laomai Medical Centre, we were welcomed with so much kindness and professionalism. The dentist was absolutely amazing — she made my daughter feel safe, comfortable, and completely at ease. She explained everything, reassured her throughout the process, and created such a warm environment.
My daughter ended up having her teeth extracted and cleaned, and I cannot believe how smoothly everything went. She felt no pain and was relaxed throughout the entire appointment. Seeing her sit comfortably in the dental chair after being so nervous was such a relief.
We travelled all the way from Pretoria East to Pretoria Central, and it was honestly worth it. We did not expect such efficient, fast, and caring service.
Thank you so much, Doctor, for your patience, kindness, and for making my daughter’s first dental experience such a positive one. We are truly grateful and would recommend you a thousand times! ❤️🦷
thorough screening of the mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities is conducted,Rather than harsh manual scraping, a modern ultrasonic scaler is used. It uses high-frequency vibrations and warm, pressurized water to gently remove tartar and plaque, crazy experience I feel normal again 😅. Was exciting too.