The Benefits Of Digital X-Rays
Digital X-ray technology is a key aspect of modern dentistry. X-rays allow us to treat problems that are invisible to the naked eye, such as gum disease and abscesses. There are two types of X-ray technology used today: digital X-rays and traditional X-rays.
Digital X-ray technology uses an electronic sensor to capture images of teeth. X-ray-sensitive plates capture data immediately after the image has been taken. The images can then be immediately viewed on a computer screen and shown to patients. There is no time needed to develop the images, and re-sizing or zooming in maintains the quality of the image.
Unlike digital X-rays, the traditional method uses a beam of gamma rays transmitted through a section of the body. Some of the rays are absorbed by internal structures like bone or muscle, depending on their density. The rays not absorbed travel through the body and get recorded on photographic film. The film is then developed in a darkroom using toxic chemicals and catalogued.
Benefits of Digital X-Rays
- Image Clarity: Digital X-rays allow an image to be enlarged or resized without distorting the quality of the X-ray. Traditional X-rays lose their image quality over time and require new X-rays in order to see smaller areas of the same picture.
- Lower Radiation Exposure: Compared to taking a traditional X-ray, a digital X-ray requires 80% less radiation. This greatly lowers health risks, such as cancer, for patients.
- Speed: Digital X-ray images are available on the computer seconds after they are taken and are easily catalogued. Traditional X-rays have to be copied onto film in a darkroom, which is a much longer process.
It’s our goal to provide the best quality dental care possible to our patients, and using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment is a part of the overall treatment process. If you would like more information on digital X-rays or the other types of cutting-edge dental technology we use at our Phoenix office, please feel free to contact us today.
