ADVANCED CARE
Digital Dental X-Rays Canning Vale
Low-dose digital imaging that helps us diagnose accurately and plan treatment with confidence.
Not every child needs dental X-rays at every visit. Our dentists will assess your child's age, symptoms, dental development, cavity risk and oral health before recommending imaging. If X-rays are recommended, we will explain why they may be needed and what parents can expect during the appointment.
What Can Digital X-Rays Detect?
Digital imaging helps dentists assess teeth, roots, jawbone and surrounding structures, revealing areas that are not visible during a standard visual examination:
When Might a Child Need Dental X-Rays?
Checking for Cavities
Some cavities form between teeth where they cannot be seen during a visual examination. Bitewing X-rays may help detect early decay in these areas before it becomes more serious.
Monitoring Tooth Development
X-rays can help show whether adult teeth are developing and erupting as expected, and whether there are any concerns with tooth position or spacing.
Assessing Dental Trauma
After a fall, knock or sports injury, an X-ray may help assess whether the tooth root, surrounding bone or a developing adult tooth has been affected.
Investigating Pain or Swelling
If a child has toothache, swelling or signs of infection, X-rays may help identify the source of the problem and guide appropriate care.
Orthodontic Assessment
Dental X-rays may assist with monitoring tooth position and jaw development, and help determine whether orthodontic assessment may be beneficial.
Treatment Planning
If a filling, extraction or other treatment is being considered, an X-ray may help the dentist understand the full condition of the tooth and surrounding structures.
Types of Dental X-Rays for Children
The type of X-ray recommended depends on what your dentist needs to assess:
Bitewing X-Rays
Commonly used to check between back teeth for cavities and to monitor bone levels around the teeth.
Periapical X-Rays
Shows the full tooth including the crown, root and surrounding bone. Often used when assessing tooth pain, infection or trauma.
Panoramic X-Rays (OPG)
Shows teeth, jaws and surrounding structures in one wider image. Useful for monitoring development, missing teeth, impacted teeth or orthodontic concerns.
Orthodontic Imaging
Where orthodontic assessment is required, additional imaging may be recommended to assess tooth position and jaw relationships.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe for Children?
X-rays are only recommended when the clinical benefit outweighs the small radiation exposure. Modern dental imaging generally involves very low levels of radiation. Children's dental X-rays are not taken routinely without reason, before recommending an X-ray, your dentist will consider your child's oral health, symptoms, dental history and whether imaging is genuinely needed for diagnosis or treatment planning. If you have any concerns, please let our team know. We are happy to explain why imaging may be recommended before proceeding.
What Happens During a Child's Dental X-Ray?
Explanation - your dentist explains why the X-ray is recommended and what to expect, in child-friendly language
Positioning - your child is carefully positioned for the image, at a calm and comfortable pace
Sensor placement - for some X-rays, your child may gently bite on a small sensor or holder to get the right angle
Image captured - the X-ray is taken quickly, usually in a matter of seconds
Results reviewed - your dentist reviews the images with you and explains any findings in plain language
Child Dental Benefits Schedule & Health Funds
Dentists @ Canning Vale sees eligible children under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). Dental X-rays may be included under eligible CDBS services where clinically required and subject to Medicare rules, available balance and eligibility.
We also accept private health funds and offer HICAPS on-the-spot claiming where applicable. Health fund rebates and government benefits vary depending on eligibility, level of cover, annual limits, waiting periods and fund rules. Please confirm your entitlements directly with your health fund or Medicare before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every child need dental X-rays?
No. Dental X-rays are recommended only when clinically appropriate. Your dentist will assess your child's oral health, symptoms and risk factors before recommending any imaging.
Why can't the dentist see cavities without X-rays?
Some cavities develop between teeth or under the surface where they cannot be seen during a visual examination. X-rays may help detect these concerns at an earlier stage.
Are dental X-rays safe for children?
Modern dental X-rays involve very low levels of radiation. X-rays are still only recommended when the expected diagnostic benefit justifies the small exposure. If you have concerns, please discuss them with your dentist before the image is taken.
How often should children have dental X-rays?
There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. The timing depends on your child's cavity risk, dental development, symptoms and oral health history, not simply the passage of time.
Can X-rays show adult teeth before they come through?
Yes. Panoramic X-rays can show developing adult teeth and whether they are erupting as expected, useful for identifying spacing, impaction or development concerns.
Can X-rays help after a knocked or injured tooth?
Yes. If a tooth has been injured, X-rays may help assess the root, surrounding bone and nearby developing teeth, helping determine whether treatment or monitoring is needed.
Are dental X-rays covered under CDBS or private health funds?
X-ray cover depends on eligibility, clinical need, remaining CDBS balance, and health fund cover. Our team can provide guidance, but please confirm your entitlements directly with Medicare or your health fund before your appointment.
Book a Children's Dental Assessment
If your child has tooth pain, dental trauma, suspected cavities or tooth development concerns, our team is here to help.
Unit 8, 3 South Street Canning Vale · admin@dacv.com.au
Important Information
This page provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional dental advice. Treatment suitability, results and costs vary between patients.
A consultation with one of our dentists is required to assess whether this treatment is appropriate for you. Book a consultation or call 08 9256 2588.
References & Further Reading
This page is based on current clinical literature and guidelines from recognised Australian and international dental and health authorities.
- Australian Dental Association. ada.org.au
- Dental Board of Australia (AHPRA). dentalboard.gov.au
- Australian Society of Implant Dentistry (ASID). asid.com.au
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) - Medical Devices. tga.gov.au
- Australian Society of Orthodontists. aso.org.au
- Australian Periodontology - ADA Oral Health Topics. ada.org.au/Dental-Professionals/Publications/Oral-Health-Topics
Content reviewed by Dr Desmond Ng, BDSc (Hons) University of Queensland | Principal Dentist, Dentists at Canning Vale. Last reviewed July 2026.