How are digital x-rays different from traditional x-rays?
Digital x-rays use an electronic sensor to capture an image, whereas traditional film-based x-rays use a chemical process. Digital x-rays save time by providing an image on a computer screen in a matter of seconds, instead of a lengthy processing time for film. Once on the screen, the digital image can be magnified, lightened, darkened, or changed in any number of other ways to help the dentist get more information from the image and also help the patient to better see what is going on with their teeth. And because the digital sensor is more sensitive than film, that means patients are exposed to only 1/3 the amount of radiation than when film is used.
