Are you still using the old physical x-rays in your dental office? While traditional x-rays have been extremely useful for patients and dentists they have some limitations. Today, most modern dental offices have moved on to dental sensors or digital x-rays. This advanced technology is capable of delivering high-quality digital imagery in real-time. Here’s everything you need to know about dental sensors.
What are Dental Sensors?
Dental sensors are handheld pieces that work as digital x-ray allowing dentists to capture high-quality digital images. With the help of dental sensors, staff at a dental practice can quickly and easily get the images they need for diagnosis and treatment. It’s a much more efficient and simple way of getting x-rays compared to the traditional method.
These sensors are capable of capturing high-quality digital images. What makes them even better is their small size. Traditional x-ray machines are huge with a lot of moving parts. On the other hand, these digital sensors are handheld pieces that do not put patients in uncomfortable positions. Patients can simply have their exam sitting in their chair. The images are available almost instantly which makes it easy for the staff as well as the patient.
What Are Dental Sensors Used for?
Dental sensors are used for creating digital x-rays to examine the internal area of teeth. This offers several advantages for a dental practice as well as the patients. Here’s a list of some of the major benefits of digital radiography.
Almost Instant Images: One of the biggest advantages of using digital sensors is almost instant results. On the other hand, patients often have to wait for the results of a traditional x-ray and if the results aren’t readable, they have to do it all over again.
Images Can Be Enlarged: Since these are digital images, it is easy for the staff to zoom in to better understand what’s going on.
High-Quality Images: Digital sensors allow the capture of extremely high-quality images that can be easily saved onto a computer. These images have extremely high resolution allowing the capture of more details compared to a traditional x-ray film. Also, these can be used for capturing images of gums as well as other oral structures.
Save Money for Patients: It helps in saving money for patients as digital x-ray allows early detection which helps in minimising the required treatments for patients.
Easy Storage: Since these sensors capture digital images, they can be easily stored indefinitely. Patients and doctors do not need to keep track of hundreds of files as everything can be stored securely for future reference.
Accessibility: If you need to provide dental x-ray images to the insurance company or others, it is easier to send digital images through electronic systems which help in faster processing.
Choosing the Right Dental Sensor
While there are several benefits of dental sensors, it is important to understand that not all sensors are the same. What makes things complicated for dental offices is that not all imaging software works with all the sensor options available in the market. Here is what dental professionals need to know about choosing the right dental digital intraoral sensors:
Interoperability: It is a misconception that not every sensor will work with every x-ray unit. While it is true that you will need to tweak some settings to get a particular digital dental sensor to work with your x-ray unit but almost every sensor should work with almost all types of x-ray units.
Choosing the Right Size: These sensors are marketed in various sizes ranging from size 0 to size 2. Some dental offices choose size 1.5 as this works for almost everyone whereas others prefer size 2 for adults and size 1 for children.
Sensor and Imaging Software: An important thing you need to know is that not every sensor works with all the imaging software out there. Some sensors might work but you will lose the automation capabilities. This is why you need to make sure that the digital sensor is compatible with the imaging software.
Final Thoughts
Overall, dental sensors provide a wide range of benefits and essentially, no drawbacks. These systems do cost a bit of money but the convenience and ease of use as well as the enhanced comfort level of patients outweigh the initial costs.
If you’re searching for the best dental sensors for your practice, Dental Equipment Services is the right choice for you. We are an Australian owned and operated dental equipment supplier, so get in touch to learn more about dental sensors. Our staff will help you choose the right equipment based on your requirements and your budget.
For all your dental sensors and any other dental supply requirements, please call us today on 1300 144 975 or leave an enquiry.