A dental X-ray in Lebanon shows what an exam cannot: decay between teeth, infection at the tip of a root, bone levels and teeth still hidden in the jaw. At Lebanon Dental Studio we take digital X-rays on site, and when you need a 3D image we arrange it at a partner imaging centre.
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Key Facts
- Digital X-rays are taken on site at C.Metric Beauty Dental Clinic in Dbayeh; 3D (CBCT) images are arranged at a partner imaging centre when needed.
- Bitewing X-rays check for decay between the back teeth, periapical X-rays show a whole tooth down to the root tip, and a panoramic X-ray shows both jaws in a single image.
- RadiologyInfo puts a dental X-ray at about 0.005 mSv, roughly one day of natural background radiation, and a panoramic at about 0.025 mSv, roughly three days.
- ADA guidance treats dental X-rays as safe during pregnancy when they are needed, and no longer recommends lead aprons or thyroid collars for any patient.
- Recent X-rays taken abroad can be sent on WhatsApp to +961 71 677 261 before your first visit.
- Fees are not published; the cost depends on how many images you need, which type, and whether a partner imaging centre is involved.
Why Your Dentist Needs X-Rays
Most of a tooth sits below the gum line, and early decay starts where a mirror cannot reach, between the back teeth and at the edges of old fillings. An X-ray shows the root, the bone around it and what is happening inside the tooth. The American Dental Association recommends X-rays in moderation, timed to your age, decay risk, gum health and symptoms. We take an image when its answer will change what we do next, and we tell you why first.
The Four Main Types of Dental X-Ray
Bitewing X-rays
You bite gently on a small tab, and the image shows the crowns of your upper and lower back teeth together. Bitewings are the standard check for decay between teeth and under fillings, and they show the bone height between teeth, an early marker of gum disease.
Periapical X-rays
A periapical image shows one or two teeth from the biting edge to the tip of the root, plus the bone around it. This is the X-ray for a toothache or a suspected abscess. Root canal treatment relies on periapicals at several stages to check the length of each canal and how well it has been filled.
Panoramic X-ray (OPG)
The machine travels around your head in one pass and produces a single image of both jaws, every tooth, the jaw joints and the lower sinuses. It is the usual first image for wisdom teeth assessment, a full review before a large treatment plan, or a first look at the bone before implants. It shows less fine detail than bitewings, so it does not replace them. When you need one, we arrange it at a partner imaging centre.
3D imaging (cone beam CT, or CBCT)
A cone beam scan builds a three-dimensional picture of the bone, nerve canals and sinuses. The FDA lists implant planning, impacted teeth and root canal diagnosis among its uses, and notes that it delivers more radiation than ordinary dental X-rays. We request one only when a flat image is not enough, for example to measure bone width before our oral surgeon places dental implants. The scan is arranged at a partner imaging centre.
| Type | What it shows | Usually needed for | Relative radiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitewing | Crowns of the back teeth, bone height between them | Check-ups, decay between teeth | Very low |
| Periapical | One or two whole teeth, roots and surrounding bone | Toothache, abscess, root canal | Very low |
| Panoramic | Both jaws, all teeth, joints and lower sinuses | Wisdom teeth, full assessments, early implant planning | Low |
| 3D (CBCT), arranged at a partner imaging centre | Bone, nerves and sinuses in three dimensions | Implant planning, complex roots, impacted teeth | Higher than flat X-rays, lower than a medical CT |
How Much Radiation Is a Dental X-Ray?
Very little. RadiologyInfo, the patient site run by the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America, gives these approximate adult figures:
- A single dental X-ray: about 0.005 mSv, similar to one day of natural background radiation.
- A panoramic X-ray: about 0.025 mSv, similar to three days.
- A dental cone beam CT (arranged at a partner imaging centre when needed): about 0.18 mSv, similar to 22 days.
The same source puts a coast-to-coast flight across the United States at about 0.03 mSv. Real doses vary with the machine and the patient, and the FDA points out that children are more sensitive to radiation, so a 3D scan for a younger patient needs a clear reason.
Dental X-Rays During Pregnancy
Tell us before any image is taken if you are pregnant or think you might be. ADA guidance treats dental X-rays as safe in pregnancy when they are needed, and no longer recommends lead aprons or thyroid collars, because a shield can block the beam and force a retake. In practice, we take X-rays during pregnancy for pain, swelling or a problem that needs treatment, and leave routine check-up images until after the birth. Our guide to dental care during pregnancy covers what else is safe and what can wait.
Bringing X-Rays from Abroad
If you live in France, Canada, the Gulf or elsewhere and have recent X-rays, ask your dentist for the digital files, or take clear photos of them, and send them to us on WhatsApp before you fly. Clear, current images may not need repeating; older ones are usually retaken at your first visit. If you are fitting treatment around a trip, our guide to planning dental treatment in Lebanon from abroad sets out timelines by procedure.
What Moves the Cost of Dental X-Rays in Lebanon
Lebanese rules on medical advertising do not allow us to publish fees, but the factors behind the cost are simple:
- Number of images: one image of a sore tooth is a different job from a full set for a new patient.
- Type of image: small digital X-rays, a panoramic and a 3D scan are separate examinations, each with its own cost.
- Whether a partner imaging centre is needed: 3D (CBCT) images are taken there, which adds a step to your plan.
- What you bring: recent X-rays from home can mean fewer new ones.
For how fees are worked out across all treatments, see our dental treatment costs in Lebanon page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a panoramic X-ray machine at the clinic?
We take digital X-rays on site at C.Metric in Dbayeh. When your case calls for a 3D (CBCT) image, we arrange it at a partner imaging centre and go through the images with you afterwards. Most check-ups, fillings and veneer cases do not need a panoramic at all. It is usually requested for wisdom teeth, implant planning or a full assessment before a large treatment.
How often should I have dental X-rays?
There is no single schedule. ADA guidance bases the interval on your age, decay risk, gum health and symptoms. An adult with healthy teeth and no new fillings may go two years or more between bitewings, while someone with active decay or gum disease needs them more often. We decide case by case and explain the reason before any image is taken.
Can I have a dental X-ray while breastfeeding?
Yes. A dental X-ray leaves no radiation in your body and has no effect on breast milk, so there is no need to pause feeding or express and discard milk afterwards. If treatment follows the X-ray, mention that you are breastfeeding so we can choose suitable medicines, for example for pain relief after a procedure.
Can you give me an estimate from an X-ray I send on WhatsApp?
Often, yes, as a first indication. Send the digital file or a clear photo of a recent X-ray, together with photos of your teeth, and Dr. Rita replies personally with what she sees and the likely next steps. The final plan and quote are confirmed after an in-person examination, because some problems only show up in the chair.
How to Get a Personal Estimate
Send your recent X-rays, a few photos of your teeth and a short note about what is bothering you to WhatsApp +961 71 677 261. Messages are usually answered within the hour during clinic hours. Dr. Rita replies personally and tells you whether new images are needed, and the final quote is confirmed after your exam at C.Metric Beauty Dental Clinic in Dbayeh.