A dental X-ray is a common term for a dental radiograph. It is one of the dentist’s most common and critical diagnostic tools, giving your dentist a better picture of what’s going on with your teeth than simply looking in your mouth. Using these X-rays, your healthcare provider can see the following: Areas of decay, including those in between teeth or under a filling Bone loss associated with gum disease. Abscesses are infections at the root of the tooth or between the tooth and gum. Tumors Changes in the root canal X-rays have different purposes, depending on what the dentist tries to see. Dental radiographs use a small, controlled burst of radiation to create a picture of the tooth. Cavities, infections, and other conditions show up as dark spots on the lighter image of the tooth. New patients are advised to get X-rays to establish a baseline when visiting a dentist for the first time.