What information does a dental X-ray provide that would help my dentist determine if I need a root canal?

If a patient has a symptomatic tooth, radiographs can be very helpful to a dentist in making his diagnosis. A well taken X-ray will show whether the periodontal ligament is intact at the apex. Often teeth that are non vital and have become contaminated with bacteria either display a radioluscency "attached" to the apex. This can be evidence of an infection that has traveled to the bone at the end of the tooth. Sometimes the apex doesn't display a full fledged radioluscency, but instead displays a widened periodontal ligament(PDL).

Other information that can be obtained from radiographs are the proximity of any filling to the pulp, the presence or absence of decay or infraboney periodontal defects. Radiographs also can be helpful in diagnosing some types of tooth fractures as well.

Bite wing radiographs although not good for spotting infections, are extremely helpful to determine the presence of intraproximal decay and can be a great help in evaluating the margins of dental restorations.

Periapical X-rays( that show the entire tooth) are better for picking up tooth related infections.

Panorex radiographs show all the entire mouth and jaws in one film and are good for oral surgeons or implant surgeons to complete their diagnosis and treatment plans. Most Panorex radiographs do not show individual tooth in as fine detail as an individual periapical X-rays and I do not find them as useful for routine dental examinations.