What sense do we use to detect x-rays?

The ability to detect x-rays is not facilitated by any traditional human senses such as touch, vision, or hearing. Instead, x-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that is outside the visible spectrum and cannot be perceived by the human senses. Humans cannot see or hear x-rays; this is because they have a higher energy level than visible light and are designed to penetrate materials, including human tissue, rather than interact in a way that can be perceived by our senses.

Detection of x-rays is reliant on specialized equipment such as radiographic films, sensors, or digital receptors that convert the x-ray exposure into an image for evaluation by a dental professional. Therefore, recognizing that no direct sense can detect x-rays reinforces understanding their nature and the technological need for imaging techniques in radiography.