X-rays have been essential in dental care, dating back to 1896. The technology gives a dentist a detailed view of your oral health.
One drawback of conventional X-ray technology is the radiation exposure needed to expose X-ray film, familiar to many as those bite-wing plates you must clench between your teeth. As with many aspects of contemporary life, the transition to digital improves convenience and safety for you as a dental patient.
At Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry in Redmond and Bellevue, Washington, digital dental X-rays are our forte. The speed and safety make digital X-rays an easy and obvious choice for you. Let’s take a look at this technology as well as how you benefit from it.
Just as the advantages of digital photography made silver halide technology all but obsolete, so has computer-assisted processing revolutionized dental X-rays. Starting with a digital sensor rather than film, the system adds capabilities while removing the limitations of traditional X-ray systems.
X-rays are essential for comprehensive oral care, allowing the visualization of problems that aren’t apparent to the naked eye. We use X-rays to reveal:
We may also use X-rays to track recovery or plan restoration work. Dental X-rays can even uncover signs of hidden tumors.
The reduction in radiation exposure alone is significant. Digital X-rays use much less radiation to form images that are instantly viewable through a computer monitor, and that can be adjusted in ways that film X-rays can’t be, such as changing contrast and brightness to highlight different parts of your teeth.
Digital X-rays use radiation levels about 70% less than film does. It’s about the same level as the natural background radiation you already receive from the Earth and Sun. It’s a significant reduction in the amount of X-ray radiation your body needs to absorb.
This is important if you require frequent X-rays to track your progress. The instant feedback of digital photography also makes retaking images much more convenient than film, which requires development before the images can be viewed.
It’s easy and efficient to store digital X-rays, so your dental history is accessible and shareable. This avoids repeated exposure should we need imaging for other treatments, such as implants or orthodontics.
Digital dental X-rays are simply better for you as a dental patient. Contact Redmond Smiles Family & Implant Dentistry online or by phone at our nearest location to schedule your next dental visit today.
