X-rays (also referred to as radiographs) help our dental professionals to detect problems we can't see by simply using a mirror to look into your mouth. They help see beneath gum tissue and between teeth.  Using X-rays, we can see the absence (or presence) of teeth in your mouth (including things like missing permanent teeth, impacted teeth, the position of your wisdom teeth and more), as well as the level of bone in your jaw, and whether it has deteriorated due to missing teeth or advanced periodontal disease. Abscesses, cysts and calcified arteries (which can lead to a stroke) can also be seen with X-rays.