title: Shall I go digital?
abstract: Dental radiographic imaging is slowly transferring to digital format. The decision to invest in this new technology should be based on a good understanding of the different types of digital imaging available within the dental field. This article outlines its use in general dental practice, highlighting the pros and cons of the various systems both for intra-oral and extra-oral radiography.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An understanding of the mechanisms of digital imaging and their associated potential problems are required by any clinician moving to film-less imaging.
authors.forename: Bethan L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Whaites
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental / Q000379:methods; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011873:Radiology Information Systems; D013674:Technology, Dental / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014962:X-Ray Film; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens