Digital X-Rays vs. Traditional X-Rays

When it comes to diagnostic imaging, technology has come a long way in recent years. Digital radiography is now a popular feature in doctors’ offices across the country. But what is a digital x-ray, and how does it differ from traditional x-rays of years past? Here is a breakdown of each option along with the pros and cons of each.

Traditional X-Rays

Traditional x-rays work by taking a picture of what’s beneath the surface of the skin. Although x-rays are considered safe, they do expose the patient to some amount of radiation during the procedure. After the x-ray is taken, it is developed on a large piece of film so that your doctor can observe underlying issues, such as a small fracture.

The problem with traditional x-rays, aside from the radiation exposure, is that much is left up to human interpretation, inviting in room for error. If the film is over- or under-exposed, or if your doctor or dentist misinterprets what they see, your medical issues could go unnoticed.

Digital X-Rays

Digital x-rays are a significant step up from traditional x-rays. With digital radiography, some images can be taken with a small camera sensor that can fit into small crevices such as the patient’s mouth to produce detailed images in a fraction of the time.

Some of the benefits of digital radiography include less radiation exposure, higher-quality images, and less room for human error, as your doctor can easily zoom in on any potential problem areas without compromising the quality of the images.

Digital x-rays are the way of the future. With the options that this modern technology affords us, patients can look forward to more accurate diagnoses and a less invasive, more comfortable x-ray experience.