There are two main types of dental X-rays. The first is intraoral (meaning the X-ray film is inside the mouth) such as a periapical radiograph. The second is extraoral (meaning the X-ray film is outside the mouth) such as a panoramic radiograph, or CBCT. An X-ray for dental purposes can assist the dentist in finding any tooth surfaces that have decay or damage issues which a visual examination alone might not reveal. A dental X-ray procedure generally only lasts a few minutes and can be taken from a variety of angles to show multiple views of the problem area. To ensure dental X-ray safety, the patient may wear an apron over their neck and chest to prevent x-ray exposure to other areas of the body. Dental X-rays are often a part of routine check-up and most dental insurance plans will cover at least part of the dental X-ray cost.