Technology

Until recently, your only option when taking a dental x-ray was the exposure of a small film packet, which then took between five and ten minutes to develop. Now, the digital era has brought us an exciting new technology called digital radiography.

With digital radiography a small sensor is connected directly to a computer instead of a film packet. Taking x-rays is faster because the sensor is merely moved from tooth to tooth. There is no need to reload a film positioner for each image. It is also faster because the x-rays are available immediately on the computer monitor, with no development step in between. Because the digital x-ray exposure is shorter than taking conventional x-rays, the amount of x-ray radiation is reduced by up to 90 percent. Digital x-rays avoid the chemicals used in the traditional process of developing film x-rays. A digital x-ray can be enhanced in a variety of ways to improve the detail of the image. These adjustments to the image are a tremendous help in the diagnosis of many dental conditions. The digital x-ray images are saved in a computer for instant retrieval at a later date.

Digital radiography is an advanced technology that speeds treatment and helps us make the most accurate and efficient diagnosis of your dental condition. While these digital x-rays provide valuable information that we can not get from any other source, they can not show you everything that is going on in your mouth. That is why we use an intraoral camera. An intraoral camera is a highly advanced piece of diagnostic equipment that allows you to see what we see inside your mouth. The camera is approximately the size and shape of a dental mirror. It has a built-in light source, and serves as a tiny video camera that allows us to zoom in on one tooth with 25 times magnification. The images are displayed on a television or a computer monitor. You will be able to see problems such as worn or broken fillings, cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities and excessive wear. We can print an image of your tooth for you to take home.

The intraoral camera allows you to be an active partner in your dental treatment by enabling you to see what we see inside your mouth. With a clear understanding of your dental conditions, you will be able to make treatment decisions with confidence.