Dental x-rays can detect many dental problems which can be easily detected during a visual examination. Decay between teeth, fractures, abscesses, and cysts are a few of the dental issues that may only be discovered on an x-ray. We at Comfort Plus Family Dental, use digital x-rays which reduces radiation by as much as 80 percent. You can get more radiation exposure by standing outside in the sun than from the tiny bit you receive from routine dental x-rays. Besides lower radiation, patients no longer have to wait for their x-rays to be developed. X-rays are ready immediately and the dentist can go over the x-rays with the patient during their exam.
The sample x-ray photo shows a fracture (inside the circle) that would not have been detected without an x-ray.
Sources: http://www.colgate.com/app/CP/US/EN/OC/Information/Articles/Oral-and-Dental-Health-Basics/Checkups-and-Dental-Procedures/X-Rays/article/X-rays-and-Intraoral-Pictures.cvsp , http://www.dexis.com