Are the x-rays necessary when you visit the dentist?!

Are the x-rays necessary when you visit the dentist?

My husband had a few cavities as a teen and now he's in his 20's and feels like he's getting another. I just called the dentist's office to set up an appointment and she told me they would do an x-ray, the dentist would visit with him, and then they would schedule him for a SECOND appointment where the dentist would discuss x-ray results and the hygenist would do a cleaning.

What kind of a racket is this? Can't dentists find cavities without x-ray equipment? And why would my husband have to make a 2nd appointment just to get his results?

And then to just arbitrarily assume he will get his teeth cleaned. The nerve!

Can you go to a dentist and refuse the x-rays and just have him examine you and give you his observations?

It's not just the extra money and radiation exposure we have a problem with, it's feeling pressured to do certain procedures. Has anyone else experienced this? I had a similar encounter with my dentist which is why I tried this new one today for my husband

2 months ago
I know the x-ray exposure is minimal, but still a risk is there and we don't want that risk unless this were a dire medical situation.

they do need an x ray to see if the tooth is infected or just has a cavity, if it's infected and the dentist doesn't know it and just fills it as a cavity, then it'll just keep getting worse and the face will swell. and be in a lot of pain, then the resort is either pull the tooth or get a root canal and a crown. so let them do the x ray and see what the problem is....you don't want to pay for a filling and then it not fix the problem and pay for additional treatment. you don't need 2 appts to find this out, the x ray will show up immediately and they can diagnose it immediately, as for the cleaning they just want to get your business but you do need your teeth cleaned every 6 months