In the world of advanced technology and digitization, modern dentistry has come a long way. Digital X-rays offer tremendous precision and accuracy to help dentists identify oral diseases and damage that aid in designing appropriate treatment plans for successful outcomes.
A Hanover dentist specializes in the field of oral radiology to help record digital images with all the necessary precautions for patient safety.
What are digital X-rays?
Digital X-rays are a form of advanced image that uses digital sensors instead of traditional radiographic films to directly capture data during the patient examination. This data is then processed, converted, and transferred to a computer system.
What is the science involved in digital X-rays?
Digital X-rays differ from traditional X-rays, wherein beams of radiation penetrate through several layers of your body to reach the target and form an image on a radiographic film using digital sensors. These specialized sensors are available in the form of a flat panel made up of a detection layer over a matrix array of a thin film of transistors and photodiodes.
When are digital X-rays used?
Digital X-rays are essential diagnostic tools in modern dentistry that provide valuable information that is not easily visible to the naked eye during routine dental exams.
Digital X-rays can reveal:
- Tooth and root positions
- Abnormal root morphology
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gumline
- Amount of bone resorption
- The presence of abscesses (pus-filled pockets), cysts (fluid-filled sacs), or tumors (abnormal growth of tissue mass) within the oral cavity
- The presence of benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) lesions
- Interdental tooth decay
- Developmental abnormalities of the teeth or jaws
These X-rays also aid in the evaluation of the success of root canal treatment, bone grafting, or dental implants.
What are the benefits offered by digital X-rays?
- Produce premium-quality images
- The real-time exposure can be adjusted accordingly
- The results can be viewed immediately due to digital sensors
- Offer reduced radiation exposure
- Offer good precision and accuracy when compared to conventional X-ray
- Save a lot of time and effort
- Avoids the use of chemicals for developing film
Are digital X-rays safe?
Digital X-rays produce significantly lower levels of radiation when compared to conventional X-rays. The radiation dose is equivalent to the one that you are exposed to from your smartphone, TV, and computer screens. Digital radiographs are safe, faster, and more comfortable, in addition to avoiding the risk of waste and chemical disposal into the environment. Still, dentists may adopt the use of lead aprons as an appropriate safety measure.
Takeaway
Digital X-rays are safe diagnostic tools used only when deemed necessary to aid dentists in designing an appropriate treatment plan.
