What is a significant benefit of digital radiography over traditional film?

Lower radiation exposure to the patient is a significant benefit of digital radiography compared to traditional film. Digital radiography utilizes advanced imaging technology that is more sensitive to radiation, which allows for capturing high-quality images with a reduced dose of radiation. This is particularly advantageous in dental practices, as it minimizes the risk of radiation exposure to patients while still providing clear and detailed images necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

The sensitivity of digital sensors means that they require much less radiation to produce an image than traditional film, which contributes to improved safety for patients undergoing dental procedures. Additionally, the ability to manipulate and enhance digital images using software can help radiologists and dentists to better diagnose conditions without the need for increased radiation dosages.

In contrast, other options present characteristics that do not hold true when comparing digital and traditional radiography. For instance, while digital radiography can provide excellent resolution, traditional film still can offer high image quality, and development time is actually reduced with digital imaging since there are no chemicals involved. Finally, while digital images do not degrade over time and can be stored indefinitely, traditional film degrades and has a limited shelf life.