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HomeTopicsDental TechnologiesDigital X Rays
Digital X-RaysDigital X-rays are a new dental X-ray method that takes digital pictures of the teeth and bones in the mouth. X-rays play a key role in dental examinations, aiding the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems.
A full set of 14 to 21 X-rays are usually required for new dental patients or patients who need extensive treatment. Follow-up X-rays are necessary every six months to three years, depending on the patient.
How Digital X-Rays WorkDigital X-rays are easier and more comfortable to take than traditional X-rays. With digital X-rays, a technician glides a small electronic sensor inside a patient's mouth. The sensor sends digital images to a computer in the exam room where they can be viewed and saved.
The digital X-ray method is a major improvement from conventional X-ray techniques in which the patient is required to bite down on small plates of plastic or cardboard. The plates house X-ray film and cause a majority of patients to gag. The next step in traditional x-rays is to then have a noisy x-ray machine take the shots of the patient's mouth. This is repeated several times to get views of the patient's entire mouth.
The digital X-ray images themselves are similar to conventional X-ray images but can be enlarged and manipulated on the screen. This gives dentists and patients a better idea of what's going on in the patient's mouth. Traditional X-ray images are about the size of a postage stamp.
Uses of Digital X-RaysDigital X-rays, like traditional dental X-rays, have many uses. Digital X-rays reveal:
Digital X-rays can also help determine the condition of:
Digital X-Ray ProsDigital X-rays have several advantages over traditional dental X-rays. Advantages include:
The main disadvantage of digital X-rays is the upfront costs for dentists. Digital X-rays cost 3 to 5 times more than conventional X-rays. Software and sensors needed for digital X-rays typically cost between $10,000 and $20,000. Despite the initial costs, digital X-rays save money in the long term because they cut out X-ray film and the costs associated with development chemicals.
Also, patients will not see a rise in cost. Because insurance companies typically cover digital X-rays, out-of-pocket costs are usually the same as those for conventional X-rays.
Digital X-Ray ConsSome dentists do not believe that the advantages of digital X-rays outweigh the extra cost because:
Digital X-rays are the next step in improving patient health and well-being. As digital X-ray technology becomes cheaper and awareness of digital X-rays increases, more dentist offices will start using digital X-rays. |
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