Targeted Intraoral
Radiography

Dental X-Ray · Legazpi Village, Makati

Periapical x-rays taken of the specific tooth or area under clinical assessment — not as a routine at every visit, not as a full-mouth survey. Each image is reviewed on screen with you before any treatment decision is made.

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What This Page Covers

What targeted intraoral radiography is
How it differs from panoramic x-ray
When it is taken at DevelopDent
How images are used in treatment planning
Frequently asked questions
Overview

What targeted intraoral
radiography involves


A targeted intraoral x-ray — specifically a periapical radiograph — captures the full length of one or more teeth from crown to root tip, along with the surrounding bone. The sensor or film is placed inside the mouth, close to the tooth being examined, and a focused beam is directed at the specific area of concern.

This differs from a panoramic or OPG x-ray, which captures the entire jaw in a single wide image from outside the mouth. DevelopDent does not have panoramic or OPG equipment. All radiography at the clinic is targeted and intraoral — meaning it is taken only where clinical findings indicate a need, not as a default survey of every tooth.

Targeted intraoral radiography is part of the Comprehensive & Executive Dental Care services at DevelopDent. Images are taken using digital sensors for immediate on-screen review — the treating dentist discusses what the x-ray shows with you before any treatment recommendation is made.

Clinical Indication

When a dental x-ray
is recommended


Radiographs are not taken at every appointment. The treating dentist recommends an x-ray only when the clinical examination raises a specific question that cannot be answered by visual or tactile assessment alone. Common indications include:

Suspected decay between teeth or beneath an existing filling that is not visible on examination
Evaluation of bone levels around a tooth where periodontal disease or bone loss is suspected
Assessment of root morphology before extraction, root canal treatment, or implant planning
Investigation of pain or sensitivity with no obvious clinical cause
Monitoring of a known pathology — cyst, root resorption, or healing after surgery
Pre-treatment baseline before orthodontic or restorative work involving specific teeth
Radiation and clinical justification Dental x-rays use a very small dose of radiation. Even so, the clinical standard is to take them only when the diagnostic benefit outweighs the exposure — not as a convenience or a routine interval. At DevelopDent, no radiograph is taken without a documented clinical reason.
The Process

How radiography works
at DevelopDent


Taking a targeted x-ray is a straightforward, brief procedure. What distinguishes the approach here is how the image is used — not just that it was taken.

1

Clinical Examination First

The treating dentist examines the area clinically before reaching for the x-ray. Radiography supplements the examination — it does not replace it. The specific tooth or region to be imaged is identified before the sensor is placed, so the image captures exactly what is needed.

2

Sensor Placement and Exposure

A small digital sensor is positioned inside the mouth against the tooth being examined. The x-ray unit is aligned to the correct angle and a single brief exposure is taken. The image appears on screen within seconds. The whole process takes under two minutes per tooth area.

3

On-Screen Review with the Treating Dentist

The image is displayed on the large chairside screen immediately. The treating dentist walks through what it shows — the tooth structure, root length, bone levels, and any area of concern — in plain language. You see the same image the dentist is interpreting. Nothing is described to you from memory or from a different room.

4

Treatment Decision Based on Findings

Once the clinical picture is complete — examination and radiograph together — the treating dentist explains what is found, what it means, and what the options are. The x-ray is the basis for the recommendation, not an afterthought. No treatment is proposed before this review is done.

Why DevelopDent

What to expect
at this clinic


Targeted, not routine
Full-mouth x-ray surveys are not standard practice at DevelopDent. Radiographs are taken of specific areas where the clinical question requires one. The result is fewer exposures over time, and images that are directly relevant to your actual findings — not a precautionary archive.
You see the image and what it means
The x-ray is displayed on the large chairside screen immediately after exposure. The treating dentist explains what each feature in the image represents — root morphology, bone levels, areas of density change — in language that makes sense. You are not asked to agree to treatment based on an image you have not seen.
Digital sensors — no wait, no film
DevelopDent uses digital intraoral sensors rather than conventional film. Images are available immediately, can be adjusted for contrast and brightness on screen, and are stored digitally for comparison at future visits. There is no chemical processing, no waiting, and no quality variation from film handling.
The dentist who takes the x-ray interprets it with you
There are no associates at DevelopDent. The treating dentist who performs the examination is the one who reviews the radiograph and explains its findings — not a separate clinician reading an image later. The interpretation and the clinical context are held by the same person at the same time.
No OPG — and that is explained clearly
DevelopDent does not have panoramic or OPG equipment. If a case requires a full-arch or wider field radiograph — for orthodontic planning, implant mapping across multiple sites, or complex surgical assessment — the treating dentist will explain this, arrange the appropriate referral, and incorporate the results into your treatment plan.
Related Services

Other services that use
radiographic findings


Intraoral x-rays are part of the diagnostic process for many of the procedures at DevelopDent. The image informs the treatment — whichever of the following applies to your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions
answered


What is the difference between an intraoral x-ray and a panoramic x-ray?

An intraoral periapical x-ray images one to three teeth in detail — from crown to root tip and the surrounding bone — using a sensor placed inside the mouth. A panoramic or OPG x-ray captures the entire upper and lower jaw in a single wide image from outside the mouth. Each serves a different purpose. Periapical x-rays provide more detail on specific teeth; panoramic x-rays give a broad overview of the full arch. DevelopDent uses periapical radiography only — the clinic does not have OPG equipment.

How often will I need an x-ray?

There is no fixed interval. Radiographs are taken when the clinical examination finds something that requires imaging to assess accurately — not on a routine schedule. For some patients this means an x-ray at most visits; for others it may be rarely. The treating dentist will explain the reason each time one is recommended.

Is dental x-ray radiation safe?

Digital periapical x-rays use a very small dose of radiation — substantially less than a panoramic or CBCT scan, and a fraction of the natural background radiation we are exposed to daily. The clinical standard is to take them only when the diagnostic benefit is clear. DevelopDent does not take radiographs without documented clinical justification.

Can I bring x-rays from another clinic?

Yes. Existing radiographs are useful context for the treating dentist, particularly for second opinion consultations or when continuing treatment started elsewhere. Digital files (JPEG or DICOM format) or printed films are both usable. The treating dentist will assess whether the images are recent enough and of sufficient quality to inform the current clinical question, or whether updated views are needed.

What if I need a panoramic x-ray or CBCT?

If your case requires a wider field of view — for orthodontic planning, assessment across multiple implant sites, or complex surgical evaluation — the treating dentist will refer you to an imaging centre that has the appropriate equipment. The results are then incorporated into your treatment plan at DevelopDent. You will not be left to arrange this without guidance.

How much does a dental x-ray cost in Makati?

The fee for intraoral radiography depends on how many views are taken and in what context — as part of a check-up, a pre-treatment assessment, or a standalone review. The treating dentist will advise before any x-ray is taken. Pricing is provided at consultation.

Legazpi Village,
Makati

DevelopDent is located on the ground floor of Legaspi Tower 200 on Paseo de Roxas — a short walk from Greenbelt and accessible from across Makati CBD, Salcedo Village, and BGC.

Directions and getting here →
Address

1st Floor, Legaspi Tower 200
107 Paseo de Roxas Street
Legazpi Village, Makati, 1229

Nearest Landmarks

Legazpi Village · near Greenbelt
Ayala Triangle · Salcedo Village

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Start with a clear
clinical picture

If you have a concern about a specific tooth, recurring pain without an obvious cause, or want a thorough assessment before committing to treatment — a targeted radiograph taken and reviewed with the treating dentist is the right starting point.