Some patients complain when taking models, “Why do I still need to take them when I have already taken them 2 times?” In fact, the purpose of each film is different. Most of the operations of dental treatment are performed by the doctor based on the application of anatomy, together with the actual anatomical shape of each individual patient which is also shown from the radiograph, in order to synthesize the relevant operations. Most patients understand that the first radiograph is to check and evaluate the missing tooth area, including the height and width of the remaining alveolar bone, the important anatomical structures below, the direction of the roots of the adjacent teeth, whether they are healthy, etc., so there is no objection to taking the first radiograph. The next step is to evaluate the radiographs, and at this time it may be necessary to take CT, which is an upgrade to the ordinary two-dimensional radiographs, that is, three-dimensional radiographs! Some patients ask why not just take a CT? The reason is that according to the ALARA principle, the smallest dose achieves results, and a smaller dose of 2D panoramic film can be used for a reliable evaluation without the need for a CT. Then, after the implant surgery, although the preliminary evaluation is completed, we need to take further radiographs to determine the position of the implant roots in relation to the adjacent teeth and important anatomical structures, which is why we took this radiograph. There you go! At this point, the patient felt that it was finally over. Wait, it’s still early! After the healing period is over, further restorative work has to begin, and this time a third shot is needed to determine how well the root is bonded to the alveolar bone to allow for normal chewing forces! And the back? The teeth are installed. A photograph is taken to confirm that the abutment is fully seated and the crown is fully seated. This is also important to make sure the tooth is working properly! So I can eat normally with my teeth, do I still need to have my radiographs taken? Yes, it is important to follow up with an annual review, we don’t want a tooth to leave the chewing position again after we have it implanted! It is important to take a small film every year to give the doctor information about the working status of the dental implant, so that if there is any abnormality but you do not feel it, the film can provide information to protect the dental implant. You may think that dental implants are so troublesome, and that you need to take x-rays all the time after you have a dental implant. In fact, our own teeth need to be checked regularly, just like our annual checkup, but the difference is that the dose of dental x-ray is much lower than the chest X-ray taken during our medical checkup!