Digital X-Rays for Caries

I have seen digital x-rays in my periodontist´s office and in my endodontist´s office. I can see the application for perio and endo.

The periodontist can drill a pilot hole and snap a digital radiograph in seconds to check the angulation and depth. He can also check the proximity of adjacent roots or other anatomical structures. The endodontist can rapidly determine depth of file penetration, other canals, etc. But I wonder about the use of digital x-rays for caries? What is the consensus out there for general practitioners. Are digital x-rays adequate for caries diagnosis?

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Filed Under Radiology, Digital Radiography 

Comments

3 Responses to “Digital X-Rays for Caries”

  1. Jeffrey Hoos DMD on February 18th, 2006 1:12 pm

    Before I had digital….I did not think I needed digital. Now I have digital, I will not live without it. Carries diagnosis is easier and patient acceptance of the problem is 1000% better because they can see the problem.
    You must have a good system and it is not the sensor that is the key but the software. There are many good sensors but CADI software is great by a company called SYNCA from Montreal Canada.
    With software you can enlarge, colorize, and show the patient. What could be better and you already know about the speeed.

  2. John Fong, DDS on February 22nd, 2006 1:01 am

    I am a general dentist that been using digital xrays for over one year. Initially, I was concerned about “missing” something on the digital but after 2-3 months in order to have full knowledge of the software capability of the system and going through a slight interpreation adjustment in viewing the images on the screen, I am now convinced that I actually see more with the new system. My office does endo, and implants and I love the ability to get fast pictures. A bonus is that the staff finds that their time is not tied up with developing xrays and not longer we have to worry about lossing a film and any misplacement problems. Finally, the software is the most important aspect of any system. I must be easy to use and intuitive.

  3. DR.mahmoud a ali DDS.MS. on February 22nd, 2006 9:50 pm

    diagnosis of dental decay varies from :visual,clinical(mirror+explorer),x rays,regular or digital,staining days,or laser diagodent machine.using x rays to diagnose decay is routine in dental practices, however,misdiagnoses decays are very common in regular or digital x ray ,depending on angulation,intensity of the image and contrast. As a clinician ,using available technology to do proper diagnosis is our goal,also train your assistant to practice perfect angulation.

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