Advancements in Dental Radiology: How Modern X-Rays Improve Patient Care

Do not be surprised if your dentist requests dental X-rays on your first visit to his office. X-rays allow dentists to view their patient’s oral health and properly diagnose and treat cavities, infections, gum disease, impacted teeth, and other issues. Dentists order X-rays when they suspect oral health problems, to monitor the progress of surgery, or once every couple of years as a preventative measure, depending on your current dental health. Advances in dental technology impact how we care for our teeth and how dentists provide care. Digital X-rays are among the biggest advances in dental care. This dentist explained this important information to me, and now I’d like to pass it on to you!

Digital X-ray technology supersedes traditional X-ray technology that depended on film to take images. The advanced technology allows dentists to get a close-up view of areas of the teeth, jaw, and mouth that the human eye cannot see.

Dentists use this information to detect and diagnose oral health problems and treat the issues before they lead to bigger concerns.

Traditional X-ray technology uses film to capture images of the teeth and surrounding structures. After capturing the images, dentists sent them off to a lab and waited days or weeks for results. Digital technology eliminates the waiting time, providing high-resolution images on any computer.

We know that traditional X-rays are fairly safe for most people, including pregnant women. Digital imaging further reduces the risk of radiation exposure. Clear, detailed images can be shared with other healthcare professionals and stored electronically, providing easier and faster access when the X-rays are needed.

What’s most exciting about digital technology is the capability to adjust and enhance the images after it is taken. Dentists can zoom in on specific areas of the teeth or mouth highlight abnormalities or important details, and make other adjustments, improving the accuracy of diagnosis.

Benefits of Digital X-ray Technology

About 90% of all dental practices in the U.S. use digital X-ray technology. Who can blame them? Digital imagery has excellent benefits for both a dentist and his patients. Incredible oral health is the outcome.

Crisp, clear image quality offers more details than traditional X-rays
No waiting on results; digital X-rays offer instant results
Reduced radiation exposure. Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays.
More environmentally-friendly. Digital X-rays eliminate the need for harsh chemicals used in film development.
Patients worry less

Reasons Dentists Use Digital X-rays

Dental X-rays help diagnose a range of oral health conditions, including:

Gum Disease: The CDC reports that around 47.2% of American adults have gum disease. That equals about 64.7 million adults. Digital dental X-rays help diagnose gum disease, allowing dentists to monitor and treat the disease.
Cavities: Cavities can start between the teeth and go undetected without dental X-rays as we typically cannot see the areas. X-rays reveal cavities, allowing dentists an opportunity to develop a treatment plan and reduce further harm to your teeth.
Tumors and Cysts: Tumors and cysts in the mouth can easily be detected on an X-ray.
Infections: Infections and abscesses in the jawbone or tissues can be quite painful and may lead to toothaches. Dental X-rays help dentists identify infections and begin treatment.
Impacted Teeth: Impacted teeth, like wisdom teeth, need to be removed from the mouths of most patients. Are you one of them? Find out via a dental X-ray.

Advances in Digital X-ray Technology

The most notable advances in digital technology include 3D imaging, cone beam computed tomography, and more.

CBCT & 3D Images: CBCT and 3D imaging provide three-dimensional views of the teeth, tongue, jawbone, and the structures of the mouth, allowing dentists a more comprehensive view of a person’s oral anatomy. This imagery is especially important in orthodontics, oral surgery, and for patients using dental implants.
Digital Sensor & Phosphor Plate Systems: Digital sensor and phosphor plate systems improve a patient’s comfort and enhance the convenience of an X-ray. Modern sensors are small and flexible so they can easily be placed inside a patient’s mouth. The sensor provides high-resolution images and takes minimal radiation.
Cloud-Based Imaging & Storage: Cloud-based imaging systems allow dental practices to access and store images and dental health records online, allowing other healthcare professionals to view or collaborate with them.

Advances in dental technology benefit patients and dentists and allow a more comprehensive treatment plan when oral health problems are discovered.

Digital X-ray FAQs

Is Digital X-ray technology safe? Rest assured this form of imaging is completely safe. Both digital and traditional X-rays are safe for humans. Each type of imagery uses small amounts of radiation to capture images, although the amount isn’t large enough to harm humans. The X-ray is even safe for pregnant women after the first trimester.
How long do X-rays take? Taking an X-ray is quick, requiring less than half an hour of your time and generally, much less time. It takes only seconds to capture the image.
How do digital X-rays work? Digital X-rays use sensors to convert an X-ray into a digital image. The images are processed by specialized software that allows the images to be viewed clearly. Traditional X-rays use film to take images.
Does insurance cover the cost of digital X-rays? Yes, most dental insurance plans cover the cost of either traditional or digital X-rays. Keep in mind that insurance may only cover a certain number of X-rays per year. Check your insurance policy for specific details about X-ray coverage.
How long has digital dentistry been used? Digital X-rays were developed in the 1980s, although were not widely used until the 1990s. Today, nearly every dental practice in the U.S. relies on advanced technology to bring improved accuracy and efficiency.

The Bottom Line

Digital dental X-rays use cutting-edge technology to protect your smile and overall well-being. The technology improves comfort, eliminates wait times, worries and wonder, and much more. Digital X-rays also provide more precise results for more effective treatment. When you visit your dentist, remember that he uses technology designed to keep your smile beautiful and healthy for a lifetime.