Periapical x-ray in Turkey: what it is and what it shows
A periapical x-ray (also called a periapical radiograph or PA film) is a small dental image that shows one to three neighbouring teeth in full, from the crown that you see in the mouth down to the root tips and the bone around them. "Peri" means around and "apical" refers to the apex, the tip of the root. Because it captures the whole tooth in fine detail, it is the standard image dentists use when a single tooth is painful, infected, being root-filled or being assessed for an implant. In Turkish dental clinics it is a routine, quick, same-visit test, usually taken in a few minutes.
This guide explains how the image is taken, what it can and cannot show, how it differs from other dental x-rays, how safe it is, what it costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany and what to ask a clinic. It forms part of the planning for many of the dental treatments in Turkey.
What does a periapical x-ray show that a normal dental check does not?
A dentist can see and feel only the part of the tooth above the gum. The image shows what is hidden below it. It can reveal an abscess or infection at the root tip as a dark area in the bone, the length and shape of the roots, the number and condition of root canals, decay under old fillings and crowns, a crack or fracture line in some cases, bone loss from gum disease around a single tooth and the position of an impacted or unerupted tooth. It also shows how close a tooth is to structures such as the sinus or the nerve canal in the lower jaw.
It is a two-dimensional picture, so overlapping structures can hide things and small lesions may not show early. That is why dentists combine it with an examination, tests of the tooth and, when needed, other imaging.
When do dentists ask for a periapical x-ray?
The usual reasons are toothache or swelling, a tooth that is sensitive to biting, a gum boil, a tooth that has been knocked or cracked, and checking an old root filling. The image is also needed during a root canal treatment to measure the root length and to confirm that the filling reaches the end of the canal. Surgeons use it before and after a tooth extraction to assess the roots, and it is part of the assessment before and after a dental implant, where it shows the bone around the single implant site and later checks bone healing. Professional guidance from bodies such as the NHS and the American Dental Association advises that x-rays should be taken only when they are likely to change the treatment, not as a routine for everyone.
Periapical, bitewing, panoramic or CBCT: how do dental x-rays compare?
Each image answers a different question, and a dentist often needs more than one.
| Image | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Periapical | One to three teeth in full; root tips, abscesses, root canals | Small field; two-dimensional; overlapping structures |
| Bitewing | Decay between back teeth and bone level on the crowns | Does not show the root tips |
| Panoramic | Whole mouth overview, wisdom teeth, jaws, sinuses; see panoramic x-ray | Lower detail on individual teeth; some distortion |
| CBCT (3D scan) | Implant planning, complex roots, impacted teeth, nerve position | Higher radiation dose and cost; used only when needed |
The periapical x-ray is often used to look more closely at something first spotted on a panoramic image. In implant planning, a panoramic or 3D scan is normally taken for the overall picture, with periapicals for the individual site.
How is a periapical x-ray taken?
You sit in a dental chair and the dentist or dental nurse places a small digital sensor, or occasionally a film, inside your mouth behind the tooth to be imaged and asks you to bite on a holder to keep it still. A lead or lead-equivalent apron may be used, depending on local practice. The x-ray tube is positioned outside the cheek and the exposure lasts a fraction of a second. The sensor sends the image straight to a screen so the dentist can enlarge it and adjust contrast. Taking several images of different teeth takes only a few minutes. You may notice the sensor pressing on the floor of the mouth, which can make some people gag; the dentist can use a smaller sensor or change position.
Is a periapical x-ray safe, and what about radiation?
The radiation dose from one digital periapical image is very small, comparable to a small fraction of the natural background radiation you receive in a day or two. Digital sensors use less radiation than old film. Dental organisations in the UK, EU and US state that the benefit of a necessary dental x-ray outweighs the very small risk, and that exposures should be kept as low as reasonably achievable. If you are pregnant, tell the dentist; dental x-rays are usually delayed unless there is an urgent problem, and protection is used. Children are given the lowest dose that works. You do not need any recovery or aftercare, and no special preparation beyond removing glasses, earrings or other metal near the mouth.
How much does a periapical x-ray cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany?
The figures are approximate per image, not clinic quotes. Prices vary by clinic, by whether the image is a single periapical or a series, and whether it is included in an examination or a treatment package. Many Turkish clinics include periapical images in the consultation or treatment price, so ask before you assume a separate fee.
| Country | Approximate cost range per image |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €5 – €30 |
| United Kingdom | €15 – €55 |
| United States | €20 – €90 |
| Germany | €15 – €50 |
A periapical image is rarely the reason for a trip; it is one part of a diagnosis or treatment plan. The larger cost question is the treatment it leads to, for which the clinic should give a written plan.
Can you send your existing x-rays to a clinic in Turkey?
Yes, and it saves time and radiation. Ask your own dentist for digital copies of recent periapical and panoramic images, ideally in their original file format or as high-quality exports, with the dates they were taken. A Turkish clinic can review them before you travel, give a provisional plan and tell you which images need to be retaken on arrival, because images more than six to twelve months old, or ones that were poorly taken, are often repeated. Sending photographs of your teeth together with the images helps the dentist to prepare a more accurate plan. You can send these through our free quote page.
Recovery, trip length and what happens after the x-ray
There is no recovery from an x-ray: you can eat, drive and work normally immediately afterwards. If you are travelling for dental treatment, the images are taken on the first day, usually within the consultation, and the dentist explains the findings on screen. From there the plan depends on what is found. A root canal may need one to three visits, an extraction and implant several months of healing in stages, and a simple filling a single appointment. The clinic should tell you how many days you need in Turkey once the images have been reviewed.
What are the limits and risks of a periapical x-ray?
The main limit is that it is a flat picture. Early decay, hairline cracks, small lesions and problems hidden behind overlapping bone may not show, so a normal image does not rule out a problem; the dentist's examination matters equally. The image can also be poorly angled, which makes the root look shorter or longer than it is. The only risk is the small radiation dose, which is why unnecessary repeat images are avoided. A report should be written by the dentist, who should explain what is seen and what it means for treatment in plain language.
How do you choose a dental clinic, and what should you ask?
Choose a licensed dental clinic with digital x-ray equipment, a dentist who explains the images to you and a written treatment plan before any deposit. Red flags include no images before a treatment quote, pressure to accept an extensive plan without clear findings and unwillingness to give you copies of your images. Read how our process works to see how a plan is prepared. Questions to ask:
- Do you need new images, or can you use my existing ones?
- Is the periapical x-ray included in the consultation or treatment price?
- Will I be given a copy of the images to take home?
- Do you also use panoramic or 3D images, and why would I need them?
- How many days will the treatment plan require me to stay?
Hospitals with Dental Treatments in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a dental image that shows one to three teeth in full, from the crown to the root tips and surrounding bone. Dentists use it to look for infection, assess roots and plan treatment.
It shows root tips, abscesses at the root, root canal shape, decay under fillings, bone loss around a tooth and the position of unerupted teeth. It is a flat image, so very early or hidden problems may not appear.
Approximate ranges are €5 to €30 per image in Turkey, against about €15 to €55 in the UK. Many clinics include periapical images in the consultation or treatment price, so ask before you pay separately.
Yes. The radiation dose from a digital periapical image is very small, and dental bodies advise taking x-rays only when they will change treatment. Tell the dentist if you are or may be pregnant.
A periapical image gives fine detail of one to three teeth, while a panoramic image shows the whole mouth and jaws in one picture with less detail. Dentists often use both for different questions.
No. The only discomfort is the small sensor pressing in the mouth, which can trigger gagging in some people. A smaller sensor or a change of position usually helps.
The exposure lasts a fraction of a second, and positioning takes a minute or two per image. A few images are taken in a few minutes, and the dentist can view them on screen at once.
Usually yes. For a root canal it shows the root length and any infection, and for an implant it shows the bone at the single site. Many dentists also take a panoramic or 3D scan for implants.
Yes. Digital copies let the clinic prepare a provisional plan, though images that are old or poorly taken are often repeated. Ask your dentist for copies with the dates.
The x-ray itself takes minutes and needs no recovery. How long you stay depends on the treatment it leads to, which the clinic explains after reviewing the images.