Introduction

Since the 1970s, advancements in imaging technology have made dental digital radiographic imaging a reality in oral and maxillofacial radiology.1 Dental digital radiographic imaging includes all non-film- based methodologies and is often referred to as computed dental radiography, direct dental radiography, or simply as digital radiography.

In the late 1980s, the Trophy Corporation introduced the first dental digital radiography system to the dental profession.2 The system was a Charged Coupled Device- (CCD) based system called RadioVisiography (RVG). Since the launching of RadioVisiography, various companies have introduced many more CCD-based systems offering a variety of options. More recently Schick Technologies, Inc. introduced Complementary-Metal-Oxyde-Semiconductor (CMOS) detectors. CMOS is the technology used for all modern microprocessors and memory chips. In addition to CCD/CMOS detectors, in the early 1990s, Digora introduced photostimulable phosphor (PSP) technology to dentistry, a technology that has been used in medicine for a number of years. CCD and PSP detectors offer oral health professionals many advantages, primarily because the images produced with these systems can be manipulated using computer software. However, it is important to note that neither system increases the information available for diagnosis. What digital imaging allows is the alteration on how the information is displayed.

Many dental practices are currently using this technology or beginning to make the transition from film-based imaging to digital imaging. Typically in many oral health practices, dental hygienists expose, process, and utilize radiographic images in their patient care and for use by other clinicians in the practice. Not only do educators need to be aware of its use and prepare future graduates to use this new technology, but practicing dental hygienists unfamiliar with this technology need to update their skills through continuing education. Thus, the purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of dental digital imaging technology through technological background information, diagnostic software, advantages and disadvantages of the imaging system, technique procedures, and legal implications.