Digital X-rays: Where Technology Meets Precision
Dentistry has evolved tremendously over centuries and has given way to modern technology, especially in the field of diagnosis. Radiology has revolutionized through digitization providing greater precision and accuracy to diagnose oral diseases. This helps dentists design appropriate treatment plans for successful outcomes.
Digital X-rays offered by the dentist in Northeast Philadelphia, help record highly accurate digital images in disease detection, keeping in mind all the precautions for patient safety.
A comprehensive guide to digital X-rays
Digital X-rays are a form of advanced imaging technology, and systems that make use of special digital sensors instead of traditional radiographic films to directly capture data during the patient examination. This data is then processed, converted, and transferred to a computer system.
The principle involved
Digital X-rays differ from traditional X-rays, wherein beams of radiation penetrate through different layers of your body to reach the specific target and form an image on a radiographic film using digital sensors. These specialized sensors are available in the form of a flat panel made up of a detection layer over a matrix membrane of a thin film of transistors and photodiodes.
Indications
Digital X-rays can reveal:
- Tooth and root positions
- Abnormal root morphology
- Problems inside a tooth or below the gumline
- Amount of bone resorption
- The presence of abscesses (pus-filled pockets), cysts (fluid-filled sacs), or tumors (abnormal growth of tissue mass) within the oral cavity
- The presence of benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) lesions
- Interdental tooth decay
- Developmental abnormalities of the teeth or jaws
These X-rays also aid in the evaluation of the success of root canal treatment, bone grafting, or dental implants.
Benefits
- Produce accurate images
- The real-time exposure can be adjusted accordingly
- The results can be viewed immediately due to digital sensors
- Involve reduced radiation exposure
- Offer good precision and accuracy when compared to conventional X-ray
- Save a lot of time and effort
- Avoids the use of chemicals for developing film
Are digital X-rays safe?
Digital X-rays are comparatively safe because:
- Digital X-rays produce significantly lower levels of radiation when compared to conventional X-rays.
- The radiation dose is equivalent to the one that you are exposed to from your smartphone, TV, and computer screens.
- Digital radiographs are safe, faster, and more comfortable, in addition to avoiding the risk of waste and chemical disposal into the environment.
Wrapping up
Digital X-rays are safe diagnostic tools that help dentists in designing an appropriate treatment plan. Early and accurate detection paves the way for a successful treatment outcome improving your quality of life.
