Digital X-Ray

Also referred to as digital radiography. Digital x-ray technology uses a small electronic sensor placed in the mouth to capture an image, which can be called up instantly on a computer screen. When digital x-rays first became available over 30 years ago, they immediately offered a host of advantages over traditional x-ray films, which require chemical processing. Most importantly, they cut the amount of radiation exposure to the dental patient by as much as 90%. While faster x-ray films have been developed over the years that require less exposure, making that difference less dramatic, a digital x-ray still offers the lowest radiation dose possible.

Advantages of Digital X-Rays

Besides minimizing radiation exposure, digital x-rays offer numerous advantages to dentists and patients alike. These include:

Up to 90% less radiation exposure as compared to the traditional x-rays
Find cavities
Easy to share and store images
No chemical process (which is environmentally friendly) and the ability to see images instantly
Check the health of the tooth, root, bony, and developing area around the tooth
Determine if periodontal disease is an oral care issue
Clear pictures and the ability to zoom in, colorize, and measure a particular area(s)
Monitor good tooth health progress through prevention