The ability to “see” beyond the exterior into the inside of the teeth and bone allows for more accurate and earlier diagnosis of dental disease. The advent of conventional film X-rays changed dentistry forever, and the technology was continually improved to allow for less radiation exposure and greater clarity. The improvements in film, however, were dwarfed by the invention of digital imaging.

Advanced Three Dimensional Imaging

One of the biggest advantages of digital imaging from a diagnostic standpoint is the ability to manipulate the image on the computer, instantly. The contrast, brightness, sharpness can all be adjusted. Multiple complex measurements can be taken in an instant.

Using our dental CT scanner, we can construct an extremely accurate 3D model of the teeth and bone at a fraction of the radiation that a typical medical CT scan would require. This provides us with the ability to get to the source of your problem like never before, and plan the solutions to these problems to a degree that was simply not possible before the advent of this technology.

Two dimensional digital X-rays have many advantages over conventional film X-rays. The image size can be adjusted without losing clarity. Instead of looking at two or three teeth on a one inch X-ray film, the image can be enlarged so that one tooth (or even just part of a tooth) can fill an entire computer screen. This not only helps the doctor in diagnosis, it also helps patients understand their problem and the different treatment options available to them.

It only takes a few seconds for the computer to process the digital X-ray, which allows for immediate evaluation instead of waiting five or ten minutes for the film to develop.

Safety

Taking a dental X-ray has always required controlled exposure to low amounts of radiation. With the introduction of high speed film, conventional film X-ray systems were able to lower the amount of radiation to the patient. Digital X-rays have dropped the exposure even further, so much so that when used in combination with a protective apron you may get greater radiation exposure just spending time outdoors in sunny weather.

Digital X-rays also produce less waste in two important ways. Digital images are processed by a computer, so they do not require processing chemicals. They also have an exposure shield permanently built into the back of the X-ray sensor, instead of every single film containing an individually wrapped shield that needs to be thrown away for every exposure.