Have you ever wondered why your dentist has you bite down on those little plastic tabs and wear that lead apron? I mean, we all know it's for x-rays, but why do they need to take them in the first place? Well there's good reason for them and below are the main reasons why. Look for decay between teeth Sometimes decay isn't visible to the naked eye and exists in areas the dentist cannot see. Check for bone loss associated with gum disease Gum disease can cause bone loss and an x-ray will show how advanced it is. Check for decay under fillings Sometimes decay under fillings can occur and can only be seen with an x-ray. Look for infection at the tip of the root Infections can appear at the very bottom of your teeth where the bone is, which needs to be confirmed...