I am 30 years old and would like to know whether chronic inflammation of the teeth and gums is necessarily visible on an X-ray. A year ago I had severe inflammation of the gums and teeth, and now pain is occurring around the root system. In an article by a renowned dentist I read that chronic inflammation does not necessarily show on an X-ray. I would like to know your opinion, and I would also like to know how chronic inflammation can be confirmed and how it is treated. Is deep laser treatment of the root system of the teeth and gums possible?
Thank you for your answer.

Dear Sir/Madam!

An X-ray shows changes in hard tissues, that is, tissues that have the property of absorbing X-rays. In the case in question, an X-ray could show changes in the bone or hard dental tissues, but this is not always the case. Inflammatory changes in the periodontal tissues become visible in the bone at a later stage; before that, they may be demonstrable only clinically. In the case of dental diseases (caries), some carious lesions do not appear on an X-ray at all, even though they can already be diagnosed in the mouth, and vice versa.
Recently, laser-assisted root-canal treatment has been gaining ground. It is based on additional disinfection of the root canals through the action of substances activated by laser light. We specifically use the Helbo, Bredent laser, which has so far proved to be a relatively effective aid.

Have a nice day!