It has only been 6 months since my last X-ray. Why do I need another one?

Progressing decay, loss of the supporting bone, and inflammation at a root tip cannot be seen from the outside and can only be checked with an X-ray. Imaging at 6-month intervals is particularly helpful if you need 1) follow-up after a filling or root canal treatment, 2) monitoring of gum disease, or 3) checks on the bone around an implant. The radiation dose from dental X-rays is very low compared with what you receive naturally in daily life, so the imaging itself is nothing to worry about.