Digital radiography has been used in dental practices for more than 20 years. It provides a more effective way in which dental professionals can obtain images of patients' teeth. All dental specialties, such as endodontics, rely on digital radiography to diagnose patient ailments and determine an appropriate course of treatment. There are a few different types of digital radiographic images used within the specialty of endodontics.
Periapical and Bite-Wing Radiographs
Periapical and bite-wing radiographs are typically the first digital radiographics used by practitioners new to digital radiography, according to an article that appeared in Dentistry Today. The results of these types of images can be viewed immediately on a computer screen. Their quality is very good, so diagnosis can be more accurate, the article notes.
Panoramic Radiographs
Panoramic radiograph machines are typically large and expensive units. But they serve as valuable tools. They can help dental professionals gain a better understanding of a patient's needed treatment. According to the Dentistry Today article, panoramic radiographic images are not as effective in diagnosis as periapical and bite-wing radiographs because their quality is not as good.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography
Cone beam computed tomography is the "one of the newest and most expensive" forms of digital radiography, according to the Dentistry Today article. However, it is proving to be the most effective. It provides a scan similar to the PAN. "The resulting image is displayed as image slices and/or 3-dimensional (3-D) images of the area," notes the article. This 3-D imaging is being used in many dental specialities, including endodontics and periodontics.
Tags: Dentistry Today, digital radiography, bite-wing radiographs, dental professionals, Dentistry Today article, digital radiography according, radiographic images
