Digital radiography can take x-rays of your teeth by using a computer. Digital x-rays not only expose our patients and staff to 90% less radiation than typical film-type x-rays, they’re also much more sensitive when compared with standard dental x-rays. Digital x-rays make it possible for us to clearly look at the whole tooth and root structure as well as adjoining bone and tissue. They give us the opportunity to detect and diagnose concerns before they can be apparent to the naked eye, and before they may lead to considerable damage and discomfort.
To get an x-ray, a little sensor pad which is connected by a line to a computer, is placed inside the mouth. A beam of energy will then be sent through your teeth to the sensor which saves the images. The doctors and team members can quickly access the digital x-rays on a display screen to examine the results. No more waiting for x-rays to be developed. We are able to also show you the images allowing you to see everything we are describing in regard to your oral condition.
After that we can keep your x-rays in our computers and access them faster than ever. Additionally, the images could be sent electronically to insurance carriers, substantially decreasing processing time and contributing to faster treatment.
How funny it seems now to think back on the times our dental practice made use of photographic film x-rays. Someday, this will be something that every dentist will look back upon with a snicker, almost like 8-track tapes in cars of the past. Well, that’s assuming you do recollect 8-track tapes. I should probably make a reference to cassette tapes instead. They were at one point ground-breaking technology in the music world.
Dentists have made use of photographic film x-rays since the 19th century. They brought with them a number of problems but there were no alternate options. Remember that large piece of cardboard that supported the film and how it caused you to choke? Additionally, the sides hurt your gums. Remember how the dental assistant took the x-ray and then you had to wait while they developed it in chemicals that were later gotten rid of, polluting the clean water cycle? Now and then, they would dry the x-ray films, while other times the films just stayed wet. Finally, if the x-ray was decent and did not need to be taken another time, everyone would have to pore over this teeny piece of film. The dentist would attempt to point out decay or other problems, but you often could not see it. Personally, I am pleased that out-of-date tool is no longer being used at progressive practices like North Kansas City Dental.