---
title: "What Is Digital radiography? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "Digital radiography is x-ray imaging that captures the image on an electronic sensor instead of film and shows it on a computer screen."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-radiography
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Technology and implants

# Digital radiography

Digital radiography is x-ray imaging that captures the image on an electronic sensor instead of film and shows it on a computer screen.

Digital radiography replaces film with a sensor. The image appears on a screen and can be stored in the patient's record. A 2026 paper notes that the rapid adoption of digital radiography in dentistry has generated large volumes of imaging data.

That data creates chances for artificial intelligence tools to help with diagnostic interpretation. See [artificial intelligence in dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/artificial-intelligence-in-dentistry).

Digital files are easy to share, but they also create privacy duties. Images are part of the patient record and are covered by [HIPAA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa). For 3D imaging, see [CBCT](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cbct).

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## Related terms

-   [CBCT](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cbct)
-   [Artificial intelligence in dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/artificial-intelligence-in-dentistry)
-   [Digital dentistry](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-dentistry)
-   [HIPAA](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/hipaa)

## Sources

1.  [PubMed Central: Evaluation of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Dental Imaging Interpretation](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13293557/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)