Are Digital Dental X-rays Safer?

 More and more dental centers are moving to the digital x-ray system in their office. In fact, more times than not a dental center that we visit has moved to this technology. There are major advantages to the dental office making the switch, but what about the patient?

Are digital x-rays safer? Is there less exposure to radiation?

The answers to these questions are YES and YES. Unlike older film-based x-rays, digital x-rays have a better range of coverage. This means that it takes fewer x-rays to get what the dental center needs. Also, the x-ray is completed faster. Unlike the film x-rays, the amount of time needed to obtain the picture is reduced.

"Re-shots" can be corrected faster as well. With the film x-ray, if the x-ray tech was a little off or if something with wrong in development, then they had to come back a re-take the x-ray. Knowing that they needed to do that could take 15-20 minutes. With the digital x-rays, the actual x-ray appears instantly and the tech is able to see if everything came out okay and adjust if it didn't.

Lastly, with the advancement in digital x-ray technology, you are exposed to 90% less radiation than with a film x-ray. Which makes them safer for you.

Original post from November 24, 2017

Random, Fun Dental Facts, Redux

 These dental trivia facts never get old.  

Enjoy this repost from 2022.  

• In the year 1900, the tooth fairy would leave approximately 12 cents. In the year 1998, one dollar. Imagine, at the current rate of inflation....this year, the year 2022...NICE! $$$$$
• You cannot conceal your smoking habit with mouthwash or brushing before a visit! That's right, your dentist knows :)...Apparently, the smoke residue seeps into the tissue surrounding your gums....
• You would need to have more than 300 amalgam fillings to even come close to the amount of mercury that is considered dangerous.
• 100 years ago, 50% of adults in North America were toothless!
• The first electric toothbrush was introduced in 1939.
• The antibacterial properties in Black and Green Tea CAN help prevent cavities.
• Chewing gum that contains Xylitol can help prevent cavities by reducing the bad bacteria in your mouth.
• Mouthwashes containing alcohol are only temporarily effective, and the alcohol dries out your mouth.
• Snails have teeth! Thousands of them...and yet, turtles are toothless!
• You will get more radiation from an hour in the sun than from a dental x-ray.

One more....this one is great!

• A survey once done by Time Magazine concluded that 59% of Americans would prefer to sit in a dentist's chair than to sit next to someone on a cell phone!

Enjoy, and Keep Smiling!