IMAGEM DIGITAL NA ODONTOLOGIA DIGITAL IMAGE IN DENTISTRY

The rapid progress of the digital technology caused a significant impact on Dentistry, with the introduction of the digital x-ray. In 1987, the first direct digital system, Radiovisiography (Trophy, Vincennes, France) became commercially available. Now the digital radiography system represents a reality in several clinics. In this work, characteristics of the digital radiography system were presented after a bibliographical research and its applicability in different specialties of Dentistry and its advantages and disadvantages over conventional radiography were verified. The digital x-ray uses electronic sensors sensitive to x-rays that are positioned like the conventional x-ray films. The electronic sensor, connected to the computer, generates an image that will be immediately seen on the monitor. There are two different devices for obtaining direct digital image, CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and PSP (Phosphor Storage Plates). It was verified that the digital x-ray possesses clinical applicability, mainly in Endodontics, Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry because it produces dynamic images, with the possibility of evaluation through manipulation, increasing diagnostic quality and making studies of minimal bone and dental alterations possible. When compared with the conventional x-rays, the digital systems eliminate the need for the chemical processing of the film, and file space, because the images are stored in the memory of the computer. All this saves time and results in much better images, with more contrast and light adjustment, and mainly, it reduces the dose of x-rays received by the patient. Such advantages make the digital x-ray economically attractive.