The significance of advanced dental imaging technologies continues to upsurge as demand for highly effective treatment continues to increase. Digital dental imaging and dental radiography are among the highly advanced technologies for detecting dental irregularities.
While the improvement in diagnostics and treatment procedures serves as the primary advantage of adopting newer and efficient dental imaging technologies, the impact of such advancements in reforming the global healthcare sector is also recognised as a fundamental factor driving the demand for advanced dental imaging systems. The current dental imaging technologies are widely classified into radiography and computed tomography. The extraoral and intraoral x-ray imaging systems dominate the dental radiography technology, whereas the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been the sole efficacious tomographic advancement in dental imaging.
Extraoral X-Ray Systems: Most Widely Used Technology
Extraoral radiography involves the use of x-ray images (radiographs) to identify the hidden dental structures by placing the photographic film outside the mouth. The subsequent radiographic view evaluates the dentofacial sizes through cephalogram, and these values are later quantified for further procedural convenience.
Extraoral x-ray systems are widely preferred in independent dental clinics and ambulatory centres, owing to the panoramic films which enable viewing of the entire jaw and the teeth. The use of extraoral systems is extensive in pathological and surgical dentistry and has been very useful in the detection of mandibular fractures. On the other hand, the technology’s ineffectual application in assessing tooth decay or periodontal degradation has limited the adoption of extraoral radiography in periodontics. Compared to the intraoral radiographs, the considerable geometric distortion and the relatively low spatial resolution have adversely effected the use of extraoral radiography. Nevertheless, the use of extraoral x-ray systems in locating large pathological lesions and temporo-mandibular abnormalities will continue to help it dominate in terms of consumer preferences.
Intraoral Radiography: Progressive 2D Imaging
Intraoral x-ray imaging is observed as the second-most widely preferred dental imaging technology. The inferring images exhibit the inner mouth of the patient and help trace irregularities in the inner jaw. Intraoral radiography is an advanced 2D imaging system and is often used in endodontic therapies and periodontics. Periapical view, bitewing view, and occlusal view are some of the prominent imaging techniques in intraoral radiography.
The foremost drawback of the use of intraoral radiography is the higher radiation exposure in the patients. Unlike extraoral x-ray imaging, the radiation dose in intraoral imaging is comparatively higher, owing to the fact that the radiography is performed inside the patient’s mouth. The vigorous use of intraoral radiography is avoided in order to prevent occurrence of cancer in the patient’s head. Howbeit, the advancements in digital intraoral imaging have deciphered less-radiating ways to determine the radiographs. For instance, the use of plate scanners, CMOS sensors, cameras and phosphor storage plates represent the most recent technological developments that lower radiation exposure in direct, semi-direct and indirect intraoral radiography.
Cone-beam Computed Tomography: The Game Changer
CBCT imaging technology is, by far, the most advanced dental imaging technology in the world. The basic advantage of cone-beam computed tomography is the 3D nature of images that are delivered for dental imaging. The assessment of 3D images boosts the efficiency of surgical procedures as dentists and dental surgeons are able to decrypt the abnormalities from every angle within the jaw.
The dental cone beam scans even the invaluable information and allows the assessment of surgical implants. At present, CBCT technology is being rigorously implemented for presurgical valuation in implantology, and the 3D rendition of these images has gained acceptance in determining tooth root orientation and anomalous structures during orthodontic procedures. The lack of bone density assessment is the only shortfall existing in the technological aspects of cone-beam computed tomography. Unfortunately, the biggest risk of using the CBCT imaging technology is the considerable amount of radiation exposure (much higher than dental radiography), which is likely to trigger cancer incidences among patients and subsequently hamper the adoption levels.
Digital Dental Radiography vs. Conventional Dental Imaging
Discerning the boons and the banes of dental imaging technologies allows the medical practitioners as well as the patients to single out the most safe and efficient one among them. The main debate lies between digital dental radiography and its predecessor, the conventional film-imaging systems. The criteria on which the two can be compared, includes,
As opposed to the conventional dental imaging, digital or radiographic imaging technology has a considerable advantage of providing highly-enhanced image, which guide the comprehensive analysis for treatment procedures.
2D and 3D imaging approach are designed for dentomaxillofacial diagnosis, and the use of CMOS sensors and plates reduce the radiographic working time to quite an extent. The conventional imaging techniques consume more time, which can impede the duration of tedious surgeries.
Simply put, it is easy to transfer digital images obtained from radiographic technologies, while it takes a lot of time to mechanically develop the film negatives used in conventional dental imaging.
This is the only factor that demotes the adoption of digital dental imaging as the radiation exposure in aforementioned radiographic techniques are considerably high, compared to the “radiation-free” conventional imaging techniques.
Assimilating the essence of all dental imaging technologies will have differing impact upon the consumption. The end-users of dental imaging equipment, such as hospitals and dental clinics, will foster the adoption of digital dental radiography due to their efficiency and effectiveness. On the contrary, the high costs and radiation risks of such imaging techniques may lower the consumer preference and propel the use of conventional dental imaging. The decisive prospect of selecting an optimum technique will be contingent on the patients and how they weigh the benefits with the respective drawbacks of the dental imaging technologies.
FMI’s new report on Dental Imaging Equipment Market offers market forecast during the period 2016-2024. A free sample of the report is available for download at http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-861
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