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For dentists in the past, building up a three-dimensional image of a patient’s mouth was a difficult and drawn out process. It involved taking several uncomfortable dental moulds of the patient and then some x-rays which would take several days to develop. This lengthy process added to patient’s waiting times and treatment times by increasing the number of appointments required for each procedure.
Dental technology has come along way in the last two decades and the advent of computer technology is finally revolutionising the industry. The latest technological wizardry comes in the form of digital x-rays. Also known as digital radiography, images are transferred digitally onto the computer which removes the need for lengthy photographic development. Digital sensors capture an image of the patient’s teeth which is then immediately available to the dentist. It is also possible to save the images onto the hard drive and store in the patient’s file for future reference..
This instant access has made a whole new range of treatment possible almost instantaneously. The microscopic accuracy of the image has also had positive effects on the quality of treatment. However, the most stunning aspect of digital x-rays is the ability to use the images produced in computer-aided manufacture. It is now possible to manufacture crowns and veneers in a matter of minutes, a process that used to take up to two weeks from start to finish. Digital x-rays have been the foundation stone for all of this new technology.
Digital x-rays are so cutting-edge that they are not available in all dentists’ surgeries at the moment. They do however represent the future of dental treatment. Ask a City of London dentist about the possibilities of digital x-rays and whether they have or are planning to use the very latest in dental technology.