Digital dental radiography uses sensors and computers to capture images of a patient’s teeth, providing a complete view of their dental structure. There are two types of dental imaging, intraoral and extraoral, which help dentists determine the health of a patient’s mouth. Digital radiography is eco-friendly and reduces radiation exposure, but can be costly and difficult to maintain.
Dentists and dental hygienists use a type of technology called digital dental x-ray to examine your teeth. Digital dental radiography works through a sensor and computer to capture images of a patient’s overall dental structure. There are at least two basic types of dental imaging in dentistry. Cost and size are some of the concerns of owning this specialized X-ray film scanner. Digital radiography has grown in popularity due to its eco-friendliness and reduced radiation exposure, among other benefits.
Digital dental radiography consists of a computer and monitor, an electronic sensor, and a radiographic film scanner. These components work together, along with imaging software and a recorder, to generate computer images of a person’s dental makeup. Dental imaging helps dental professionals get a complete view of the gums, bones, teeth and root canals to examine the health of the patient’s mouth.
The types of computed imaging systems that rely on digital dental radiography include intraoral and extraoral. Intraoral dental imaging provides many details of the roots, crowns and other aspects of the teeth to determine if they are healthy or diseased. Extraoral dental X-rays take images from outside the mouth, also known as getting “the big picture.” In addition to the teeth, extraoral X-rays look at the skull and jaw to check for problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Dental professionals obtain digital dental images through three methods. The direct method involves inserting an electronic sensor into the mouth to record the image. With the indirect technique, the dentist or dental assistant uses an x-ray film scanner to view dental x-rays as digital images. Semi-indirect digital imaging requires a scanner and a phosphor-coated sensor to convert dental X-rays to digital film.
Despite the benefits of digital dental radiography, practical concerns still arise. For example, the average cost to purchase a fully equipped digital system is approximately $10,000 US Dollars (USD). Some of the sensor equipment also looks bulkier than dental wrap, making it uncomfortable for some patients who tend to vomit easily. Compliance with maintenance and cleaning guidelines are additional problems. Digital dental radiography machines are more difficult to sterilize and usually require protective plastic barriers that need to be changed often to prevent infection.
Digital dental radiography is often lauded for its purported benefits. The process is best known for being environmentally safe because no processing chemicals or silver salts are required. The electronic sensors on the digital dental radiography device require less radiation, which means less harmful exposure. Efficiency tends to be another quality of digital radiography because the image can be transferred more quickly to the computer monitor. Dental imaging equipment also provides visibility features such as 3-D, staining, and magnification to help with an accurate diagnosis.
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