First Step
Consultation
The dentist checks your concern and confirms whether this treatment is suitable before care begins.
General Dentistry
Book Digital Dental X-rays at Smile On Dental
Book Digital Dental X-rays with Smile On Dental. Start with an assessment, understand your options, and get clear next steps before treatment begins.
Quick Summary
What to know about Digital Dental X-rays.
Best For
Patients with tooth pain, swelling, injury, or hidden dental concerns
Suitability depends on oral health, symptoms, goals, and clinical findings.
Planning
Personalised
Timing, visits, cost factors, and aftercare are explained after the assessment.
Branch Access
Pretoria & Polokwane
Use the location section to choose the branch that is easiest for you to attend consistently.
Overview
About Digital Dental X-rays
Treatment Introduction
Start with a diagnosis.
Digital dental X-rays help your dentist see what is happening below the surface. They may be recommended when symptoms, treatment planning, or routine assessment require more information.
Decision Support
A consultation comes before the treatment decision.
Smile On Dental uses the visit to understand your symptoms, goals, oral health, and expectations before recommending a suitable treatment plan.
Visual Guide
Educational visuals for Digital Dental X-rays.
Treatment Guide
Digital Dental X-rays: options, process, benefits, and care.
01
Why X-rays are used
Digital dental X-rays help dentists see areas that cannot be assessed fully by looking in the mouth alone.
An exam can show visible tooth surfaces, gums, and soft tissues, but it cannot always show decay between teeth, infection around roots, bone levels, impacted teeth, or problems under existing fillings and crowns. Dental X-rays add important diagnostic information when the clinical question cannot be answered by sight alone.
They are used selectively, based on symptoms, risk, age, dental history, and the treatment being planned. The goal is to take images when they are likely to improve diagnosis or treatment decisions. This keeps imaging connected to a clinical question rather than using it as a routine step without purpose.
X-rays can help show
- Hidden decay
- Root infection
- Bone changes
- Impacted teeth
02
When they may be recommended
Dental X-rays are commonly recommended when symptoms or treatment planning require a deeper view.
You may need a dental X-ray for toothache, swelling, trauma, wisdom tooth concerns, gum disease assessment, root canal planning, extraction planning, or checking decay between teeth. They may also be part of a broader assessment before restorative or cosmetic treatment.
Not every appointment requires X-rays. A dentist should consider your current concern, previous images, risk level, and whether the result will change the diagnosis or treatment plan. For example, a visible chip may need a different assessment from deep pain that suggests a root or bone concern.
Common reasons
- Toothache
- Wisdom teeth
- Gum assessment
- Treatment planning
03
Preparing for X-rays
Preparation is straightforward, and the dental team will guide you through positioning.
Tell the dentist if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, have difficulty biting down, feel anxious about dental equipment, or have a strong gag reflex. These details help the team choose the most comfortable approach and take only the images needed.
You may be asked to remove removable appliances, jewellery near the mouth, or items that could interfere with the image. The team will position the sensor or imaging equipment carefully so the area of interest is captured clearly. If a first image is unclear, another view may sometimes be needed for an accurate diagnosis.
Mention first
- Pregnancy status
- Strong gag reflex
- Dental anxiety
- Removable appliances
04
What happens during imaging
Digital imaging is designed to capture diagnostic information efficiently while keeping the process controlled.
For small intraoral images, a sensor is placed inside the mouth and you may be asked to bite gently. For wider views, you may stand or sit while the machine moves around your head. The exact method depends on whether the dentist needs to assess one tooth, several teeth, wisdom teeth, roots, or bone levels.
The dentist reviews the images alongside the clinical exam. X-rays are not interpreted in isolation; they are combined with symptoms, tests, and what the dentist sees in the mouth. This combined view helps prevent over-treating shadows that are not clinically relevant or missing problems that need care.
Process includes
- Careful positioning
- Focused imaging
- Image review
- Diagnosis discussion
05
Safety and benefits
Digital dental X-rays are used because the diagnostic benefit can be important when images are clinically justified.
Dental teams follow radiation safety principles by taking images only when needed and using appropriate technique. Digital systems also allow images to be viewed quickly, stored with your record, and compared with future images when monitoring changes.
The benefit is earlier and more accurate detection of problems that may otherwise be missed. This can help avoid delays in treating decay, infection, bone loss, or impacted teeth. It can also support monitoring, because changes over time may be clearer when images can be compared.
Benefits include
- Better diagnosis
- Early problem detection
- Treatment planning support
- Progress monitoring
06
Cost factors
X-ray costs depend on the type and number of images needed for the concern.
A focused image for one tooth is different from a broader view used for wisdom teeth, orthodontic assessment, or complex planning. Costs may also depend on whether the X-rays are taken as part of a consultation, emergency visit, or treatment plan.
Smile On Dental can explain why an image is recommended before taking it. The purpose should be clear: diagnosis, planning, monitoring, or confirming the condition of teeth and supporting structures. If older dental X-rays are available, the team can consider whether new images are still needed.
May affect cost
- Number of images
- Image type
- Clinical concern
- Planning complexity
07
Why Smile On Dental
Digital X-rays are most valuable when they are used thoughtfully and explained clearly.
Smile On Dental uses imaging to support diagnosis and treatment planning, not as a substitute for a careful clinical exam. The team reviews relevant findings with the patient so the next steps are easier to understand.
The takeaway is that digital dental X-rays are a diagnostic tool. When they are clinically indicated, they help the dentist make better decisions and help you understand what is happening below the surface. Clear images can make treatment discussions more specific because the problem is easier to explain visually. They are especially useful when symptoms are confusing or when planning treatment around roots, bone, or hidden tooth surfaces that cannot be inspected directly during an exam alone.
Our focus
- Clinically justified imaging
- Clear explanations
- Careful diagnosis
- Practical treatment planning
Who It Helps
When this treatment may be suitable.
Patients with tooth pain, swelling, injury, or hidden dental concerns.
Patients preparing for restorative, orthodontic, implant, or extraction treatment.
Patients who need clearer diagnosis before treatment starts.
Treatment Journey
Your Digital Dental X-rays Journey
You arrive and explain what is happening
Usually part of a consultation or treatment planning visit.
You may need X-rays because of pain, swelling, cavities, wisdom teeth, orthodontic planning, implant planning, trauma, or a problem that is not visible from the surface.
The dentist will ask when it started, what makes it better or worse, whether there is pain or sensitivity, and what you want the visit to help you solve.
What this first step covers
- Your main concern
- Symptoms or goals
- Medical and dental history
- What you hope to leave understanding
The dentist checks the cause
Before treatment starts, the dentist confirms what is actually going on.
The dentist explains why the image is useful and chooses the view that helps answer the clinical question.
The dentist may then explain options such as Small dental X-rays for individual teeth, Wider imaging for wisdom teeth or planning, No imaging if the dentist can diagnose safely without it, depending on what the examination shows.
What may be checked
- Teeth and gums
- Bite and comfort
- X-rays if needed
- Whether same-day care is suitable
Care starts or the next visit is planned
Some treatments are completed in one appointment, while others need a separate visit.
The image is taken quickly and reviewed with your symptoms and examination findings. It helps the dentist explain what is happening and what should happen next.
A second visit may be needed if the X-ray confirms treatment that requires a longer appointment.
What you should know before leaving
- What was done today
- Whether another visit is needed
- What to expect afterwards
- What symptoms should be reported
You leave with aftercare and prevention advice
The journey should end with you knowing how to protect the result.
Follow-up depends on the finding. X-rays may lead to monitoring, a filling, root canal treatment, extraction planning, orthodontic planning, or reassurance.
The dentist explains what the result means for your care and whether anything needs attention at home before treatment.
Your home-care plan
- Cleaning guidance
- Food or habit advice
- Review timing
- When to call the practice
Benefits
Why patients consider this treatment.
Supports more accurate diagnosis.
Helps plan treatment with better visibility.
Can identify concerns that are not visible during a visual examination.
Suitability
What the dentist checks before recommending care.
General Dentistry
Start with a diagnosis.
General dental concerns can have more than one cause. The safest first step is an assessment so the dentist can explain what is happening before treatment is chosen.
Suitability
Not every option suits every patient.
The dentist considers symptoms, oral health, bite, medical history, expectations, and maintenance before recommending digital dental x-rays.
Costs
Fees depend on the final plan.
Cost discussions are most useful after diagnosis because materials, complexity, visit count, and follow-up needs vary from patient to patient.
Appointment
What to expect when you visit Smile On Dental.
Careful Assessment
Your dentist reviews your concern, oral health, and treatment goals before recommending next steps.
Clear Guidance
The team explains the likely process, timing, and care options in straightforward language.
Personal Plan
Your treatment plan is shaped around comfort, function, appearance, and long-term oral health.
Costs & Aftercare
Plan treatment with clear next steps.
Before You Book
Explain the concern
Mention whether you are booking for x-rays, pain, appearance, function, prevention, or a second opinion.
At the Visit
Ask questions
Ask about diagnosis, options, number of visits, comfort, maintenance, and what could happen if treatment is delayed.
Aftercare
Follow guidance
Your dentist will explain home care, review visits, and any symptoms that should be reported after treatment.
FAQs
Questions about Digital Dental X-rays.
How do I know which treatment is right for me?
The best starting point is a consultation. Your dentist will assess your teeth, gums, bite, symptoms, concerns, and smile goals before recommending a personalised treatment plan.
Can I book online?
Yes. Use the Book an Appointment button to open the booking site and choose a convenient appointment time. You can also request a callback if you would prefer the practice team to contact you first.
Can I request a callback instead?
Yes. You can request a callback if you prefer the practice team to contact you before booking. This can be helpful when you are unsure whether you need a routine visit, cosmetic consultation, orthodontic assessment, or urgent support.
Can I ask about treatment costs before starting?
Yes. Costs depend on the diagnosis, treatment complexity, materials, and number of visits required. Your dentist can explain the recommended next step before treatment begins.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your identification, medical history, current medication details, previous dental information if available, and any questions you want to discuss with the dentist.
What if I have pain, swelling, or sensitivity?
Book an assessment so the dentist can diagnose the cause before you choose a treatment. Pain or swelling may need urgent attention, X-rays, restorative care, or another clinical next step.
Related Treatments
Continue exploring dental care.
Locations
Choose a Smile On Dental branch.
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Clinical Leadership
Care led by a verified dental profile.
Chief Dentist & Practice Director
Dr. Kholofelo Machaba-Selatole
Dr. Kholofelo Machaba-Selatole leads Smile On Dental & Aesthetic Studio with a warm, patient-focused approach to family, restorative, cosmetic, and orthodontic care.
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Patient Feedback
What patients have shared.
60+ five-star patient reviews across Pretoria and Polokwane.
60+
Five-star reviews
5.0
Average rating
4
Practice locations
"Customer care is superb, very friendly front desk staff. I'm happy to have gained my confidence back."
Vusi Maluleke
Polokwane
"From reception right into the doctor's consultation room it was all smiley faces that welcomed us."
Amy Kwenaite
Polokwane
"The best dental service I have seen in Pretoria, cannot wait for my next appointment."
Makutuma Evans
Pretoria
"Customer care is superb, very friendly front desk staff. I'm happy to have gained my confidence back."
Vusi Maluleke
Polokwane
"From reception right into the doctor's consultation room it was all smiley faces that welcomed us."
Amy Kwenaite
Polokwane
"The best dental service I have seen in Pretoria, cannot wait for my next appointment."
Makutuma Evans
Pretoria
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