Beginning January 2010, Van Haren Family Dentistry in Grand Rapids, Michigan will employ digital X-ray technology exclusively for dental radiographs. Digital X-ray technology offers a number of advantages over film-based X-ray technology including lower radiation levels, higher quality images, less developing time, portability, and comfort.
Digital X-rays at Van Haren Family Dentistry will use two-thirds less radiation than the older film-based technology. Despite lower radiation levels, the digital X-ray technology will provide higher quality images. The X-ray images will appear immediately on the computer screen in front of patients so patients will not have to wait for film to be developed. Once the images are on the computer, the dentist and dental staff members can easily zoom in on problems, compare current images with historical X-ray images, and allow patients to better see what the dentist sees. Because of these advantages, Van Haren Family Dentistry expects the digital radiograph technology to improve diagnosis and patient communication and reduce waiting time for patients.
Since digital X-ray images are stored electronically, the images can be easily shared with other healthcare providers. Van Haren Family Dentistry regularly shares information with dental specialists. Digital X-ray images will allow the exchange of information to happen quicker and more accurately.
Perhaps the most noticeable benefit will come in the mouths of patients at Van Haren Family Dentistry. The digital X-ray sensors are smaller and smoother than X-ray film, which translates into more comfort for dental patients while X-rays are being taken.
