Digital radiography is the most current form of x-ray imaging available. This technique involves the use of electronic sensors instead of traditional photographic film. The x-ray images are captured and stored on a computer and are available immediately for viewing on a computer monitor. Digital x-rays reduced the amount of radiation a patient received by 80 to 90% compared to the traditional dental x-rays.
Some advantages of digital x-rays are:
Faster and more efficient
Images can be viewed instantly
Images can be duplicated easily without loss of quality
Significantly less radiation exposure
Images can be enhanced for better and more accurate diagnosis
Dental x-rays are important diagnostic tools that provide valuable and critical information of oral conditions and diseases not visible to the naked eye. Without x-rays, problem areas may go undetected and may cause serious consequences.
How safe are digital dental x-rays?
Digital x-rays produce up to 90% lower radiation compared to conventional x-rays. This makes digital x-rays not only better for the health and safety of the patient, but they are also friendly to the environment since there is no disposal of harmful waste chemicals. Despite the considerable safety of digital x-rays, we still take the necessary precautions to limit patient exposure to radiation such as only taking x-rays that are necessary and using lead apron shields to protect the body.
