I try to review as many of the new technologies as I can in these monthly articles. Dentists are constantly bombarded with fliers, salesmen and periodicals that show off these technologies. It is up to the dentist to sift through the hype and understand the true benefits for his patients. This month, I would like to review digital X-rays. No more individual films inside your mouth. Just placing a small sensor in place of the film allows the dentist to take X-rays that are instantly displayed on a computer screen. The benefits are numerous in this type of digital system. The radiation used is decreased by 75%, and the images yield better quality information than regular film. You can magnify them, rotate them or make them color. No chemicals are used for developing, which saves the environment. The patient and dentist can view the X-ray together, because it’s up on a large computer screen.
This technology has been out for years, but the initial images were not as detailed as the regular X-ray film. Recent improvements in imaging software have made it possible for these digital systems to give greater detail than the old films. Even the American Dental Association has given their approval, which was denied in past years because of the image quality. Dexis is the first company with such approval. Because of their benefits to patients, Digital X-rays will slowly make their way into all dental offices. Until then, you will only find it in a small percentage of practices that have the computer network support in their facilities to take digital X-rays. Ask your dentist when he plans to incorporate it into his practice. When you see this new technology in action, you’ll understand what I mean. For an examination with digital X-rays, please contact Dr. James T. Gavrilos in Barrington at 1-847381-4040.