A lot of treatments are at their most effective if a diagnosis is made quickly. Some problems are obvious, but some conditions lay deeper below the gum line and so require an X-ray in order to make a full analysis of the problem.

In the past, X-rays could take a while to process and during this time, the problem could be worsening. They were also notoriously difficult to store due to their physical size, which didn’t help matters. Thankfully, most dentists around the city of Leeds these days are blessed with digital X-ray technology and it is a godsend for helping make a rapid diagnosis.

Digital X-rays works in a similar way to traditional X-rays in the sense that the image is taken in a similar way, but once taken, it is fed into a computer and an instant picture is flashed up onto a screen. This can highlight the extent of tooth decay, gum disease or periodontal problems, by colour coding and even a 3-D image can be projected so that repairs can be started immediately.

The images can be stored easily on a disc and retrieved at the touch of a button. Even better, they can be sent immediately to other people who specialise in a certain field for an instant diagnosis. It is just one of the perfect examples of how technology is helping to keep our teeth healthy.