Digital imaging in Dentistry: An overview.

ABSTRACT

Digital radiography has been available in dentistry for more than 25 years, but it has not replaced conventional film-based radiography completely. This could be because of the costs involved in replacing conventional radiographic equipment with a digital imaging system, or because implementing new technology in the dental practice requires a bit of courage. As use of digital radiography becomes more common, many dentists are wondering if and how they can replace conventional film-based imaging with a digital system. This article presents an overview of the different technologies used for digital imaging in dentistry with a broad overview of the benefits and limitations of digital imaging. The principles of direct and indirect digital imaging modalities, image processing and image analysis will be discussed.