Dental radiographs are very essential tools for dentists. The use of these dental radiographs can help dentists to keep their patients’ mouth and teeth healthy. Through the radiographs, dentists and patients are more likely to understand the structures of the mouth and teeth. Consequently, they would be able to have a view of the mouth and teeth like normally with the help of the X-ray film; hence, dentists can diagnose teeth and jaw problems with the use digital radiographic image.

There are numerous benefits that patients and dentists can avail with digital radiography. The major benefits of digital X-rays and digital radiography are:

• reduced exposure to radiation,
• less waiting time,
• shorter appointments,
• involved in co-diagnosis,
• better understanding of treatment,
• and an environment-friendly system.

In addition, there are too many reasons why digital X-rays play a significant role in dentistry and why dentists rely on dental X-rays. Initially, dental radiographs are useful to watch for decay and to monitor tooth growth and development in children. Small developmental problems can be prevented and caught early, and accommodations can be made for children with the help of radiographs. Another reason is that digital X-ray images can expose areas of decay which cannot be seen by mere visual examination. Digital X-rays can also help find decay that is developing underneath an existing filling and find cracks or other damage in an existing filling. Another reason is that they can reveal a dental abscess, which is considered as a serious infection. They can also reveal other abnormalities like cysts and tumors. They can also show impacted or extra teeth and they can help determine the conditions of fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals. Mouth, teeth, gum, and jaw problems can be revealed with the use of dental radiographs. Moreover, knowing the different issues and problems with the mouth and the teeth can help dentists plan, prepare, and place tooth implants, orthodontic treatments, dentures or other dental work with reduced radiation of as much as 80% (Colgate, 2003).

Digital radiography and digital radiographs are also very helpful in terms of patients’ dental records. Digital radiographs do away with the necessity for film and film processing chemicals that produce waste. The use of special light boxes to view the traditional radiographic films is not necessary. With digital radiographic images, technical errors often can be corrected to provide an optimal radiograph without having to make another exposure. Dentists can enhance specific problem areas of a tooth by the use of magnification and by altering the brightness and contrast in the image. It can also aid dentists to better see a problem area by viewing a better and enhanced dental radiograph on a computer screen. Because radiographic images are stored on the computer, dental offices can print or copy digital radiographs (Colgate, 2008). Comparison of past and recent digital dental radiographs with future dental radiographs to see any condition changes is made easier because of this innovation.