Benefits of Digital Radiography in Dentistry
Digital radiography has been around for more than a decade.
Despite this technology being available, there has not been universal acceptance of this practice among dentists.
In fact, the dental profession in the United States continues to use conventional radiography more than digital radiography.
The primary reason for this is based on the cost to convert from conventional methods to the new digital technology.
There are many benefits of converting to the new digital format; however, and as the cost of the equipment goes down, the rate of dentists making this conversion should increase.
Here are some highlights of the benefits involved with the digital radiography platform: •Immediate observation of radiographic images •Ability to enhance images •More efficient data storage •Cleaner, more convenient operational issues related to radiographic equipment •Better communication with other practitioners regarding second opinions •Less radiation •Loss of conventional films is eliminated •Ease of use Immediate observation of radiographic images - Although not all digital radiography devices provide immediate viewing, many do and technology is clearly moving in this direction.
Viewing an image immediately offers a significant clinical advantage while providing treatment for many oral procedures.
It is especially important in relation to endodontic therapy, implant surgery, evaluation of crown fit, placement of open margins in newly placed restorations, detection of foreign objects in soft tissue, patient education and innumerable other situations.
Using conventional radiography for these applications is a major inconvenience because the entire procedure is disrupted and valuable time is wasted while waiting for film development.
Ability to enhance images - Conventional imaging cannot be manipulated, once they are developed.
This is a huge disadvantage.
Digital radiography allows the dentist to change the contrast so it is not too light or dark and enlarge the whole image or certain parts of it.
They can also place color enhancements or superimpose various textures on the image to help them isolate problem areas.
This can be used for not only their benefit but also client education.
More efficient data storage - Conventional radiography films take up room; sometimes an enormous amount of room.
Patients that have been seeing a particular dentist for a number of years can have huge files of "film" that are stored in a back room somewhere.
Managing this traditional form of "data" is time consuming and laborious, not to mention discouraging when films get misplaced.
Digital data is immediately accessible from a computer.
It is highly organized and stored in a small space.
Information is much less likely to be lost and time and labor is saved from not needing to manually pull out all of the individual documents.
Cleaner, more convenient operational issues related to radiographic equipment - Conventional radiography requires developing and fixing solutions.
The problems associated with odors and stains from these solutions can be completely eliminated by using digital radiography.
Better communication with other practitioners regarding second opinions - One of the most useful advantages of digital radiography is being able to send images to other clinicians within a matter of minutes.
Traditional radiography does not have this capability.
Less radiation - Digital radiography exposes the patient to 70 to 80 percent less radiation, sometimes even more.
This reduction in radiation is especially important in procedures that require multiple images, such as in implant placement or difficult endodontic therapy.
Loss of conventional films is eliminated - Occasionally, a critical film comes loose from its holder and is permanently lost.
When adequate back-up procedures are utilized, this does not happen with the digital format.
Ease of use - The simple software necessary for the use of digital radiography is easily mastered.
Overall, the digital technology is easier, cleaner and certainly faster than conventional radiography.
Despite this technology being available, there has not been universal acceptance of this practice among dentists.
In fact, the dental profession in the United States continues to use conventional radiography more than digital radiography.
The primary reason for this is based on the cost to convert from conventional methods to the new digital technology.
There are many benefits of converting to the new digital format; however, and as the cost of the equipment goes down, the rate of dentists making this conversion should increase.
Here are some highlights of the benefits involved with the digital radiography platform: •Immediate observation of radiographic images •Ability to enhance images •More efficient data storage •Cleaner, more convenient operational issues related to radiographic equipment •Better communication with other practitioners regarding second opinions •Less radiation •Loss of conventional films is eliminated •Ease of use Immediate observation of radiographic images - Although not all digital radiography devices provide immediate viewing, many do and technology is clearly moving in this direction.
Viewing an image immediately offers a significant clinical advantage while providing treatment for many oral procedures.
It is especially important in relation to endodontic therapy, implant surgery, evaluation of crown fit, placement of open margins in newly placed restorations, detection of foreign objects in soft tissue, patient education and innumerable other situations.
Using conventional radiography for these applications is a major inconvenience because the entire procedure is disrupted and valuable time is wasted while waiting for film development.
Ability to enhance images - Conventional imaging cannot be manipulated, once they are developed.
This is a huge disadvantage.
Digital radiography allows the dentist to change the contrast so it is not too light or dark and enlarge the whole image or certain parts of it.
They can also place color enhancements or superimpose various textures on the image to help them isolate problem areas.
This can be used for not only their benefit but also client education.
More efficient data storage - Conventional radiography films take up room; sometimes an enormous amount of room.
Patients that have been seeing a particular dentist for a number of years can have huge files of "film" that are stored in a back room somewhere.
Managing this traditional form of "data" is time consuming and laborious, not to mention discouraging when films get misplaced.
Digital data is immediately accessible from a computer.
It is highly organized and stored in a small space.
Information is much less likely to be lost and time and labor is saved from not needing to manually pull out all of the individual documents.
Cleaner, more convenient operational issues related to radiographic equipment - Conventional radiography requires developing and fixing solutions.
The problems associated with odors and stains from these solutions can be completely eliminated by using digital radiography.
Better communication with other practitioners regarding second opinions - One of the most useful advantages of digital radiography is being able to send images to other clinicians within a matter of minutes.
Traditional radiography does not have this capability.
Less radiation - Digital radiography exposes the patient to 70 to 80 percent less radiation, sometimes even more.
This reduction in radiation is especially important in procedures that require multiple images, such as in implant placement or difficult endodontic therapy.
Loss of conventional films is eliminated - Occasionally, a critical film comes loose from its holder and is permanently lost.
When adequate back-up procedures are utilized, this does not happen with the digital format.
Ease of use - The simple software necessary for the use of digital radiography is easily mastered.
Overall, the digital technology is easier, cleaner and certainly faster than conventional radiography.
