Dental X-rays are done differently now and that is better for the patient. Decades ago, you would put X-ray film encased in cardboard in your mouth while dental assistants took X-rays. Sometimes, you would need to hold the cardboard in place for a couple of minutes. Occasionally, it would cut your tongue or gum. There were times when the X-rays had to be redone.
Then, you would need to wait for 20 to 30 minutes in the dental chair until the film was developed and the dentist looked at them.
Digital X-rays changed all of that. Now, it’s a smooth plastic device that goes in your mouth and X-rays are done much quicker. They are sent to the computer and the dentist can have the images almost immediately. That means less time waiting.