Child with Primary Dentition

The necessity of radiographic imaging for the new child patient with a primary dentition is dependent on the patient’s clinical presentation and the clinician’s ability to visually inspect the proximal surfaces of the teeth. If the new child patient presents with no evidence of disease and open proximal contacts, a radiographic examination may not be necessary at the present time.

However, once the proximal contacts are closed, radiographic bitewing imaging for caries assessment is warranted. A selected periapical or anterior occlusal radiographic examination may be indicated to evaluate tooth development, dentoalveolar trauma, or suspected pathoses. Periapical and bitewing radiographic imaging may be necessary to assess pulpal pathosis in primary molars.