Radiography, more commonly known as x-rays, is one of the most important and effective ways to diagnose problems with your teeth. X-rays are one of the oldest medical diagnosis tools, having been first discovered in 1895.
What makes x-ray technology so important to dentistry is that it enables the doctor to see problems with teeth that are impossible to see with the naked eye.
A Revolution in X-Rays
However, in recent years a revolution has occurred in x-ray technology. Like in so many other fields, the cause of change has been the computer. Until the mid-1990’s, all x-rays were made using photographic film.
Gradually there has been a shift away from using film, similar to what has happened to photography as a whole. Just as one rarely sees people using cameras that use film these days, now it is dental x-rays that have also gone digital.
Here are some of the advantages:
X-Ray Safety
Despite its importance as a diagnostic tool, one of the major concerns of getting x-rays used to be the fear of radiation. However, with the new digital x-ray technology, the level of radiation has been reduced to almost insignificant levels.
This allows doctors, and patients, to get as many images as they need to provide effective dental care without having to worry about the potential side effects of radiation exposure.
X-Ray Storage
One of the great advantages of digital x-ray technology is the fact that images can be stored on a computer. The older versions of the x-ray had to have the images stored in a file cabinet, which made it difficult to retrieve the images. The old method of storing the images also made transferring them to other medical professionals difficult.
All that shuffling of images and need for storage space is all but eliminated by the digital technology. This enables doctors and patients to have better access to the x-rays. It also protects the images from damage or theft. The dentist also doesn’t have to waste time developing the images or maintaining a darkroom onsite.
Better Care
Digital x-ray technology allows the dentist to look at your teeth with a clarity that simply was not possible with the old film x-rays. A clearer diagnosis also means a better-focused and more painless treatment that is specifically tailored to meet your personal dental needs.