X-ray produces clearer images of bones and is often the only way to accurately diagnose fractures and tooth decay. However, the x-ray has some cancer risk due to the radiation. Ultrasounds are safer (no radiation) and are used more for soft tissue and prenatal images.
It would totally depend on what area of the body and what the best way is to view what they need to see.
Xray and CT = Exposure to radiation.
Ultrasound and MRI have no exposure to radiation.
You want to be exposed to radiation as little as possible in your life . . .
X-rays and ultrasounds are both examples of medical imaging procedures. (Other diagnostic imaging modalities exist too, like CT or CAT scans, MRIs, PET scans, among others.)
Each imaging modality, whether it be X-ray, ultrasound or another, has their pros and cons.
Generally speaking, ultrasounds are particularly effective for imaging soft tissues and structures, as well as motion; X-rays are particularly effective for imaging hard tissues or structures and air-filled parts , according to veterinarian Dr. Michael Watts in his column for the Culpeper Star-Exponent.
X-rays and ultrasounds may both be used for the same section of the body, as complementary tests or one may be chosen over the other depending on the patient’s circumstances. For example, ultrasound may be more effective when imaging breasts with dense tissue. According to the Breast Center at University of Maryland Medical Center, “Ultrasound can often show abnormalities which might go undetected on mammography due to extremely dense breast tissue,” adding that ultrasound is usually employed along with a mammogram (an X-ray of the breast) and not as a replacement.
Or, according to Dr. James Zaccaria (in a video released by the Foot and Ankle Center), both X-rays and ultrasounds are used to diagnose foot and ankle injuries and pathology. He mentioned that X-rays are effective for zeroing in on the bones and identifying fractures as well as joint ailments. Ultrasounds can allow you “to identify the pathology at its root source,” stated Dr. Zaccaria, allowing you to evaluate ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues to identify injuries like, sprains, tears and stress fractures.
www.ultrasoundschoolsinfo.com/whats-the-difference-between-u
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