Interesting facts about X-rays

X-rays are useful in medical and dental imaging because of their ability to pass through certain materials.

X-ray imaging requires a source to generate the x-rays, and a sensor to register them and make an image.

The x-ray is basically a more powerful ray of light that is only partially stopped by your hand.

The image taken, of a tooth for example, can be enhanced and enlarged many times its actual size on the computer screen, making it easier for

your dentist to show you where and what the problem is.

If necessary, images can be electronically sent to another dentist or specialist -- for instance, for a second opinion on a dental problem -- to

determine if a specialist is needed, or to a new dentist.

Software added to the computer can help dentists digitally compare current images to previous ones in a process called subtraction

radiography.

In Digital imaging instead of developing X-ray film in a dark room, the X-rays are sent directly to a computer and can be viewed on screen, stored,

or printed out.

There's a newer dental X-ray technique that your dentist already may be using or may soon be using. It's called digital imaging.

Exposure from dental X-ray machines is minimal and should not be feared if simple precautions are practiced.

Digital radiography requires less than 10 percent of the radiation as film units, and the results are many times more useful to the practitioner and

peripheral industries in the dental and medical fields.