There is a growing number of digital X-ray equipment that is being installed in dental offices. This equipment eliminates the need for patients to bite down on sharp swatches of film (while fighting the impulse to gag) then wait while the shots are developed.

How it works
A technician glides a small sensor around inside a patient’s mouth. The sensor is connected to a computer by a thin wire. An X-ray beam is them sent through your teeth and into the sensor, which records the image of your teeth and sends it to a computer. The sensor can be repositioned to photograph other sections of your teeth. The digitals images can also be enlarged and manipulated. This gives dentists a better feel for what’s going on inside a patient’s mouth. 

Benefits
The digital dental X-ray system is more sensitive than dental X-ray film systems. This means that your exposure to X-rays is cut by as much as 90%. The large, color enhanced images will allow you to see what your dentist sees. This will make it easier for you to understand how your dentist will treat your teeth. Another advantage is that the dental fees that you will pay will not include payment for photo chemicals, film processing or film storage. This technology also speeds and simplifies the diagnostic part of your treatment and at the same time provides a much higher level of care. Digital X-rays use 50-90% less radiation that the conventional X-rays. Additional benefits include the elimination of old fashioned dark room chemicals  

Digital image
The highly detailed image of your teeth on the screen can be rotated, magnified, adjusted for contrast and even color-coded for educational purposes. The image can also be stored in computer files for future use.    

Costs
The cost of digital dental radiography is frequently the same as for convention X-rays. Dentists claim that despite their upfront costs to buy the new systems, they save on the continuing costs of films and photographic-development chemicals. With the improvement of technology, costs have come down over the years. It typically costs a dentist $10. 000 to $20, 000 to acquire the software and sensors needed to take digital X-rays.