“Can a dental X-ray show nerve damage?”
I am a 34 year old male. I want to know if a dental X-ray can show nerve damage?
9 Answers
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Dr. David Ellman Miranda
Dentist
Typically no. There are other tests that may help. Speak to your dentist or refer to an oral surgeon for recommendations.
Dental X-rays distinguish differences in the density of the items seen on the image. This is generally limited to looking at solid objects like bone and teeth. X-rays cannot "see" nerves. The X-ray can see the canals that the nerves reside in and can determine if an object appears to be within the canal. But remember that the X-ray is a 2-dimensional (flat) picture of a 3-dimensional object (person). So, the simple answer is no. X-rays cannot definitively show nerve damage. You may see compression of a canal where the nerve is and possible/probable nerve effect. But that's the best you can do.
Dental X-ray can show the effect of nerve damage at the end of the root. On some occasions, it may take a while for nerve damage to show itself.
It can show an infection or a deep cavity ID or deep filling close to the nerve, which would indicate nerve damage. But an X-ray cannot specifically show damage to a nerve.
It can be difficult to clearly assess nerve damage based on X-rays alone, need to combine with clinical evaluation to determine that.
A dental X-ray can show decay into the nerve of a tooth. It may also show a periapical radiolucency indicating an infection of a tooth. A CBCT or cone beam can do all of the above plus map the interior alveolar nerve and other anatomical structures in much greater detail.