Digital X-rays

At Warren Dentistry we are very excited at our newest upgrade, Digital Radiography. We feel that this upgrade will benefit all of our patients by allowing us to better communicate their dental needs through visualizing the problems.

X-rays can be very difficult to the untrained eye to read, but with the newest technology available, we can now "super-size" the images so that they are much easier to see. We have invested with the best digital x-ray imaging company in the world, Kodak. Kodak Imaging products have been at the forefront of digital x-ray imaging in dentistry for years and we are proud to be partnered with them.

How are digital x-ray images made?

Digital imaging uses an x-ray machine like that used for dental radiographs made with film. But instead of film in a plastic holder, digital images are make using a small electronic sensor or image receptor that is placed in you mouth to capture the x-ray image.

Unlike conventional x-ray film that may take between three and five minutes to process, a digital x-ray image can be viewed quickly on the computer screen. The image is displayed in a large format on a computer screen rather than the small x-ray film that is viewed on a light box.

What is the benefit of digital x-rays?

Specific problem areas of a tooth can be enhanced with magnification as well as brightness and contrast alterations. Viewing an enhanced x-ray image on a computer screen can help Dr. Warren to better see a problem area. Patients can more easily understand a dental problem or condition and discuss options for treatment.

Digital x-rays are stored on a computer and can be printed, emailed, copied, or sent to other dental offices that may need an image of a particular tooth. X-rays can easily be compared to a future x-ray image to see if and how conditions have changed.

Digital x-rays are environmentally friendly. They eliminate the need for film and film processing chemicals that generate biohazardous waste. Special light boxes to view the traditional x-ray films are no longer needed.

Are dental x-rays safe?

Dental x-ray examinations require very low levels of radiation exposure, which makes the risk of potentially harmful effects extremely small.

Digital x-rays are also safer because the exposure is much lower (almost half) than film based x-rays. The digital sensors are so sensitive they require less radiation to generate an image.

I cannot tell you how often I am asked about the radiation exposure when dental x-rays are taken, so I decided to do a little research into exactly how much radiation our bodies are exposed to.

Here is the science in what I have found:

"The whole-body radiation exposure associated with four bitewing radiographs is approximately 38 microsieverts, for example. By comparison, an airplane flight at 39,000 feet is associated with an exposure of about 5 microsieverts per hour. This means the exposure during a set of four bitewing radiographs is roughly equivalent to a seven-hour flight. These estimates are based on traditional film-based x-rays; many digital x-ray systems may require even less radiation."

Information provided by the ADA - American Dental Association