Do all cavities show up on a dental x-ray?

No: Most small and even some times medium sized cavities may not be visible on dental x-rays. This is why a clinical exam is a must.

No: X rays are just one tool dentists use to find cavities. There are especially good for visualizing cavities between teeth. They are not good for visualizing cavities on smooth surfaces of teeth, such as the chewing surface or the front surfaces. This is why a clinical examination by a dentist with x rays is the best way to examine a mouth for cavities.

No: To properly diagnose dental caries, a combination of visual examination and mechanical exploration of the teeth, coupled with evaluation of xrays and sometimes digital laser evaluation is necessary. No one modality can identify all cavities.

Not all cavities : show up on an X-ray. Tooth decay is diagnosed with several methods: visual examination, dental explorer and diagnodent laser.

Not all: Radiographs are one diagnostic tool that dentists use to determine the presence of carious lesions.