How Digital X-Rays Can Help Your Dental Exam

Digital X-rays are effective techniques for creating the most suitable diagnosis and treatment for various gum and tooth problems. Dentists want to make patients comfortable and secure. That is why they prefer to use state-of-the-art technology during a dental exam. If you want to know how digital X-rays can help during your dental checkup, here are the details.

Detects dental issues at their early stages

There are panoramic and bitewing digital X-rays. Each one has its own purpose. Panoramic X-rays encircle the patient’s head. It is for more extensive jaw and gum checkups. Bitewing X-rays are for checking the health of tooth roots and crowns. It can help the general dentist see the slightest degree of dental deterioration.

Damage to teeth and gums is always visible or painful. Worsening infection in the mouth may not even cause swelling or discomfort. With digital X-rays, the dentist can catch the early stages of damage in the gums, jawbone, and wisdom teeth. This helps the patient avoid costly treatments.

Provides better diagnosis

Traditional X-rays need a physical substrate for viewing the results. The dentist can only view the image by placing it on a bright plane. What the dentist sees is final. Digital X-rays enable the dentist to see deeper into the patient’s dental structures. This helps formulate a better diagnosis, which then leads to a more detailed treatment plan. These X-rays can display tumors, bone infections, and hidden decay.

Enables convenient viewing and storage

Digital X-rays have digital sensors capable of producing high-quality images. The high-resolution images allow the dentist to determine the problem right away. Captured images go into the computer’s memory. This enables the dentist to manipulate the images. Magnifying them can help the dentist spot hidden or brewing problems in the gums, teeth, and jawbone.

The general dentist and patient do not need to wait a long time to see the results. Images can appear on the computer monitor right away. This means the dentist can explain the diagnosis as soon as the patient returns to the treatment chair. The dentist can make immediate treatment recommendations.

Storing the images is instant on the computer. This enables the dentist to keep the images for future references. It also enables the dentist to collaborate with other dentists by sharing the images if the case needs a second opinion. Electronic storage does not need film anymore. It eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals to produce the images on film. This makes digital X-rays environmentally friendly.

Reduces radiation

General dentists, technicians, and patients need a thyroid collar and a lead apron to decrease the amount of radiation during a traditional X-ray. The high level of technology in digital X-rays lowers the patient’s exposure to radiation even more. Most medical professionals recommend annual dental X-rays for adults. Children must have them two times a year. Kids still have developing and erupting teeth. This makes them vulnerable to having intra-gum damage.

Tracks progress

The results of the X-ray stay in the dental clinic’s database. The dentist can access them at any time. This allows regular progress tracking of the patient’s progress. Patient progress can have proper monitoring. The dentist can have the ability to see bone loss, tooth movement, and root canals. The dentist can then make necessary adjustments to the patient’s treatment plan if the patient needs it.

Has a low impact on the environment

Traditional X-rays need harsh chemicals to produce the images. These substances can cause harm to the environment. Studies show that these chemicals can affect the blood, liver, thyroid, and kidneys. Long-term exposure can lead to organ damage. The waste from photo processing can also harm the environment. Digital dental X-rays do not need chemicals, which is why it is helpful to the environment.

Provides easy image manipulation

The dentist can view the images right away. The dentist can pull up the images and send them to the other dentists for a referral. The images can also go to the insurance companies for faster processing of claims. Sometimes, the dentist will need a better view of the dental issue. Enlarging the images can give the dentist a better grasp of the patient’s dental situation.

Digital X-rays are helpful in providing high-quality dental care

As the years pass, dental practices continue to aim for more efficient ways of caring for patients. Digital X-rays give clearer images and enable better collaboration among dental care providers. They help provide more targeted treatments right away. These X-rays enhance your overall patient experience without any cost to the environment as well. Your general dentist may recommend digital X-rays on your next dental visit.

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