Can x rays be taken with braces on teeth?

[amandajane]

Can x rays be taken with braces on teeth? Is that normal?

[Megan11]

Yes your ortho will take x-rays during your treatment to make sure the roots are moving correctly.

[browneyedgrl]

Yes they can, I had my regular annual x-rays from my dentist with my braces on as well as with my ortho.

B

[uvraise]

As others have stated, yes radiographs can be taken with your braces on. However, the brackets and archwire will appear "radiopaque", which means the xrays will not penetrate them and they will appear as "white" on the radiograph or x-ray itself. In a previous life I took medical radiographs for 12 years. Hope that helps!
JOHN

[Hoff]

your mouth will be electrocuted

[amandajane]

HOff,
Do you mind explaining?

[Polly]

Your mouth won't be electrocuted so don't worry amandajane. I have had numerous x-rays while I had braces on

[DrJasonKTam]

X-Rays can be taken with or without the braces on.

Your orthodontist is likely taking a panoramic x-ray which is a view of the jaws and the roots in one film. This one is not diagnostic for cavities or bone loss. As mentioned, it is generally looking for the position of the roots to make sure they are parallel. It may also be used to see the presence of other teeth that are developing or to send information to the dentist/oral surgeon for extractions or an exposure.

Your dentist is likely taking periapical or bitewing films. The former is used for the anterior teeth, and to visualize the roots of the posterior teeth. Bitewings are used in the posterior region to check for cavities and bone level. Since the wires and brackets will appear on the x-rays as radioopaque (white, like the bone and teeth), it may not be possible to check for cavities with them on.

Hope this helps!

[Skysi]

I had a set of x-rays taken at the beginning of the year, with my braces.