Digital X-rays expose you to significantly less radiation than their conventional cousins. This is good news for children and adults who may need a dental X-ray as part of their oral healthcare.
In dentistry, an X-ray is a tool that helps with the evaluating and monitoring of teeth and the structures that support them. These medical images are mainstays of pediatric dentistry. They help dentists keep tabs on the growth and development of their patients’ teeth and jaws.
Certain materials (silver compounds, for example) turn dark when exposed to X-rays. This is the principle that explains the working of both analog and digital X-rays. While analog X-rays require silver-coated X-ray film, digital X-rays record images on digital detector arrays. These arrays are panels that detect X-rays photons and turn these X-rays into visible light (the brightness of the light depends on the intensity of the radiation hitting a certain pin-point area on the panel). The circuitry in the detector will then turn the patterns made from visible light into a digital image or readout. This image will feed into a computer for storage.
The surface of the X-ray detector will have a coating that converts the X-rays into visible light. Usually, the coating will be a silicon, cadmium, or selenium compound.
Young children need regular monitoring as their mouth develops and undergoes changes. A major aspect of monitoring is X-rays.
These images track the growth and development of the teeth, gums, and jaws. A pediatric dentist will have a series of X-ray images that chart the changes that take place in their patient’s mouth. The dentist will be able to spot an abnormality immediately.
Regular X-rays also enable the dentist to check for cavities and other oral health problems that are hard to see with the naked eye. X-rays provide visuals of what goes on between the teeth and below the gumline. The relative frequency of the X-rays is nothing to worry about, especially when digital X-rays are being used.
Besides a decrease in the amount of radiation that a patient absorbs, digital X-rays also have other benefits.
Digital X-rays are near-instant, with a digital readout of the patient’s mouth available mere moments after the technician takes the X-ray.
Digital images are easy to share, which is useful when a dentist needs to collaborate or consult with a colleague. If the patient needs to change their primary dentist, they can send a digital version of their most recent X-rays. This saves time and the money that it would take to get a fresh set of dental images.
Cloudy or unclear images from analog X-rays can force a radiologist to take a fresh set of X-rays. However, digital X-ray images lend themselves to image processing. It is easy to digitally enhance the X-ray contrast to improve their definition. A dentist can also make the X-ray images lighter or darker to suit their needs.
Our practice prides itself on providing a wide range of services all in one facility. Whether your child needs a filling or a routine checkup or an X-ray, we are here for you. Our team boasts specialists who cover every aspect of pediatric dentistry. This includes a radiologist who can take swift and accurate digital X-rays. Get in touch with us and allow us to make your life a little easier.
Request an appointment here: https://www.littlemolarsnj.com or call Little Molars Pediatric Dentistry at (862) 451-8222 for an appointment in our West Caldwell office.
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