Why X-Rays from Another Dental Office May Need to Be Repeated. Smile 24 Dentistry – Phoenix, AZ (Biltmore Area)
At Smile 24 Dentistry, we are happy to review dental X-rays taken at another dental office. However, in some cases, previously taken X-rays from an outside provider may be considered non-diagnostic and cannot be safely used to evaluate your oral health.
This typically occurs when the images do not meet diagnostic, clinical, or legal standards. To ensure accurate diagnosis and proper treatment planning, new diagnostic X-rays may be required.
When provided X-rays cannot be used for diagnosis
Common Reasons Outside Dental X-Rays Are Non-Diagnostic
❌ Poor Image Quality
Blurry images due to motion
Low resolution or pixelation
Overexposed or underexposed images
Insufficient contrast
➡️ Prevents accurate evaluation of cavities, bone levels, and dental restorations.
❌ Incorrect Angulation or Positioning
Overlapping contacts between teeth
Improper horizontal or vertical angulation
Roots or apices cut off
Alveolar bone crest not visible
➡️ Interproximal decay and periodontal bone health cannot be properly assessed
❌ Incomplete Anatomical Coverage
Entire tooth crowns are not visible
Apical areas are missing
Required teeth are not fully captured
➡️ Images do not meet clinical diagnostic standards.
❌ Outdated X-Rays from Another Office
X-rays older than:
12 months for patients with high caries risk
18–24 months for patients with low caries risk
➡️ Even well-taken images may no longer provide reliable diagnostic information.
❌ Unsupported or Altered Image Formats
Photos taken of a screen
Screenshots instead of original image files
Heavily compressed or altered PDF images
➡️ Not reliable for clinical diagnosis or legal documentation.
❌ Missing Required Identification
Patient name missing
Date of exposure not shown
Right/left markers (R/L) not included
➡️ X-rays without proper identifiers cannot be used for diagnostic purposes.
Our Commitment to Safe and Accurate Care
At Smile 24 Dentistry in Phoenix’s Biltmore area, we follow strict diagnostic guidelines when reviewing X-rays from outside dental offices. If new X-rays are recommended, it is always done to protect your health, ensure accuracy, and provide the highest standard of care.
📍 Phoenix, AZ – Biltmore Area
🦷 Smile 24 Dentistry