The Benefits of Digital X-rays
At Chrisman & Wyse Cosmetic & General Dentistry, our Bloomington, IL, patients can find a full range of family dentistry services that meet the oral health needs of family members of all ages. This includes routine dental exams and cleanings.
The teeth should be thoroughly examined and professionally cleaned at least bi-annually. In addition, at least once a year, x-rays should be taken. X-rays show the inner structure of the teeth and jaw, and allow our dentists to accurately diagnose dental complications.
At our practice, we choose digital x-rays over traditional x-rays. Our dentists believe the benefits of digital x-rays make them a safer and more effective choice for our patients.
Superior Image Quality
Traditional x-rays create an image on film. The film uses shades of black and white to create contrast that shows the inner structure of the teeth and bone. While these images are effective, the technology used to create film x-rays was invented over 100 years ago. It should not be surprising that new and better techniques have been invented in that time.
Digital x-rays show the same images of the inner teeth and jaw, but the results are displayed on a screen, rather than on film. These digital images are much sharper and clearer than film images. Superior digital x-ray images make it easier for our dentists to diagnose oral health problems or detect areas of concern. Because of the high-quality of digital images, many conditions can be detected earlier than they would have been with traditional film x-rays.
Less Exposure to Radiation
Radiation exposure is a big concern for many of our Bloomington patients, and rightly so. Exposure to radiation has been shown to increase the risk of cancer. Although x-rays expose patients to a low dose of radiation, it is still recommended that individuals avoid unnecessary x-rays so that radiation exposure is limited even further.
One of the greatest benefits of digital x-rays is that they expose patients to lower doses of radiation than traditional x-rays. On average, digital x-rays use 70 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays. Depending on the type of digital machine that is being used and the type of x-ray machine that was previously in place, digital x-rays can result in 80 to 90 percent less radiation than traditional x-ray machines.
Faster Results
Comparing film x-rays to digital x-rays is similar to comparing a digital camera to an old film camera. Remember anxiously waiting for your film to be developed so you could see how your pictures came out? Compare that to the instant gratification that a digital camera provides. With digital x-rays there is no need to wait for development. Digital x-ray images can be viewed on the screen immediately, which means a faster appointment and less time in the dental chair.
Easy Storage
Like anything digital, digital x-rays are much easier to store and share than traditional film x-rays. This may seem like more of a benefit for our dentists than our Bloomington patients, but it is actually advantageous for all. If a patient needs to share an x-ray image with another medical professional, or if a patient moves and wants to transfer files to their new dental practice, that is all simple and easy thanks to digital x-rays.
Contact Our Practice
If you are looking for a trusted dental practice that relies on advanced dental technology to meet your family’s oral health needs, you will find all that you want and more at Chrisman & Wyse Cosmetic & General Dentistry. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive range of dental services, or call (309) 663-6393 to schedule an appointment.
