Digital Imaging
Digital Radiography
Radiographs (Xrays) play a fundamental part in the diagnosis and
monitoring of dental disease.
We now routinely use digital radiography for Xray examination instead
of the traditional wet film technique. This offers a number of
important advantages:
- Digital radiography reduces patient radiation by about 70%.
- The digital images are available to the dentist in moments.
- The images are of a consistently high standard.
- Digital radiography avoids the inconsistency of chemical processing
along with the associated disposal of hazardous wastes
- Digital images can be optimised on the computer and areas of
concern can be highlighted and magnified as necessary. Copies
can also be recorded on photo paper.
- Full screen images can be displayed on the chairside monitor
enabling us to explain details of patients’ dental health
and treatment plan options. This is a huge step forward from
asking patients to squint at the traditional tiny films to demonstrate
miniscule shadows. The ability to enhance and magnify an image
is a tremendous benefit to the dentist and also to patients who
are keen to understand more about their oral health.
Intra Oral Cameras
The introduction of high-resolution cameras enables us to show
our patients any area of the mouth that may be of concern. This
can be in video or stills mode and are displayed on the chairside
monitors. These are excellent educational tools. The images can
be stored digitally or as a photo print. The cameras have a number
of benefits:
- To highlight cracked teeth and fillings, decay cavities and
gum disease.
- To record soft tissue lesions on the tongue, palate, lips and
cheeks. Should referral to a Maxillo Facial Consultant be necessary
for an opinion, images can be emailed directly. This can save
waiting time.
- To show before and after treatments e.g. changing a metal filling
for a tooth coloured composite restoration….a chance for
us to show off!
