If you wear braces, you may wonder whether they need to be removed for dental X-rays. The short answer? No, in most cases, they don’t! Let’s explore why.
At McLevin, our Canadian dental team ensures you receive safe and effective X-rays, even with braces.
🦷 Can You Get X-Rays with Braces?
Yes! Dental X-rays are designed to capture images of your teeth and jaw even if you have braces. However, metal brackets and wires can sometimes affect the clarity of the image.
Types of X-rays used in orthodontics:
- Panoramic X-rays – Provide a full view of teeth and jaw development.
- Cephalometric X-rays – Used for analyzing jaw alignment.
- Bitewing X-rays – Can be tricky with braces but are sometimes still useful.
When Might Braces Need to Be Removed?
In rare cases, your orthodontist may temporarily remove brackets if they interfere with a detailed diagnostic X-ray (such as for impacted teeth or root evaluation). However, this is uncommon and only done when necessary.
Most routine X-rays can be taken without removing braces!
💼 What Should You Do Before an X-Ray?
Your dentist will guide you on the best X-ray approach based on your treatment stage. Keeping your braces and teeth clean ensures better image clarity.
Pro tip: Let your dentist know if you have concerns about your X-ray results with braces!
Need an orthodontic check-up?
Book an appointment at McLevin for expert orthodontic care!