--- title: "Best Dental Imaging Software - 2026 Reviews & Pricing" description: "Find the best Dental Imaging Software for your organization. Compare top Dental Imaging Software systems with customer reviews, pricing, and free demos." source_url: "https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/imaging-comparison/" page_type: "subcategory" language: "en" --- [Home](https://www.softwareadvice.com/) / Dental Imaging Software Software Advice offers objective insights based on verified user reviews and independent product and market research. When our advisors match you to a software provider, we may earn a referral fee. # Best Dental Imaging Software of 2026 Updated October 28, 2026 ## Dental Imaging FAQs Software Advice advisors had 27 conversations with buyers about Dental Imaging software between January 2025 and July 2026. These are the questions that came up most. - How do I choose the right Dental Imaging software for my business? Dental Imaging software buyers, when speaking with our advisors, focus first on compatibility with existing imaging hardware and the ability to integrate with current dental or electronic medical record (EMR) systems. System deployment options, such as cloud-based versus on-premise, are a key decision point, especially for small practices. Cost is a common concern, with teams weighing both monthly fees and possible setup charges. Many buyers also want to move away from manual or spreadsheet-based image management toward a more automated and reliable solution. - What is the best Dental Imaging software for a small independent practice? There is no single dental imaging software that fits every small independent practice, based on advisor calls. Buyers most often look for software that easily handles digital X-rays and imaging, and works with their existing imaging hardware. Integration with other dental systems is a must-have for many, as buyers frequently mention pain points around compatibility and deployment. Cost is another key concern, with many buyers looking to avoid high or unpredictable pricing. Answer based on 12 advisor calls - What should businesses watch out for when choosing Dental Imaging software? When choosing dental imaging tools, buyers frequently tell our advisors that system compatibility, integration with existing practice software, and deployment options are key considerations. Most buyers are small health and medicine businesses, and many ask specifically about cloud-based (software as a service) options, though a number are still undecided on deployment. Teams also report that pricing can be a concern, especially if costs rise after purchase. Another point buyers mention is wanting to move away from manual or spreadsheet-based processes to something more automated and reliable. Answer based on 20 advisor calls - What are common complaints about Dental Imaging software? A common complaint from buyers our advisors talk to is trouble with imaging system compatibility, integration, or deployment. High or rising pricing comes up often as a challenge, especially for smaller practices. Several buyers report overall dissatisfaction with their current setup. Some still rely on manual or spreadsheet-based processes and want to move away from this approach. Answer based on 18 advisor calls - What is the difference between Dental Imaging software and a general EMR? Dental Imaging software is focused on capturing, viewing, and managing dental images and X-rays, while general electronic medical records (EMR) systems center on patient records, scheduling, charting, billing, and broader clinical workflows. During advisor calls, buyers often point out that dental imaging software must handle image compatibility and integration with other systems, which is less of a concern with general EMR platforms. EMR buyers typically seek features like e-prescribing, patient portals, and telemedicine, which are not priorities for dental imaging buyers. Many dental practices look for imaging tools that work smoothly with their existing EMR, since imaging and record-keeping needs do not fully overlap. Answer based on 20 advisor calls - How much does Dental Imaging software cost? Dental imaging software commonly charges a flat monthly price, with the median landing at $350 and most teams in advisor calls quoted between $178 and $500. Some options use per-user monthly pricing, with recent quotes clustering at $300 per user. Many teams are also quoted a one-time setup fee, which usually ranges from $200 to $1,000. Answer based on 20 advisor calls - What features should Dental Imaging software include? Most buyers looking at dental imaging systems want tools for capturing and viewing X-rays and other images of teeth and oral structures. A common theme in these conversations is the need for clear visual representations to support diagnosis and treatment planning. Answer based on 7 advisor calls - What is Dental Imaging software and what does it do? Dental Imaging software helps dental teams capture, view, analyze, and store images and x-rays of patients' teeth. Buyers we've talked to say this type of software supports taking digital images, organizing them in patient records, and making it easier for dentists to diagnose or plan treatments. A common function is handling both standard photos and x-rays, so staff can quickly access visuals during exams or procedures. Answer based on 7 advisor calls On this page 1. Popular Comparisons 2. Buyers Guide 3. Frequently Asked Questions 4. Related Software Filter products 40 results ### Compare Products Showing 1 - 25 of 40 products #### Company Size - Self-Employed - 2-10 - 11-50 - 51-200 - 201-500 - 501-1000 - 1000+ #### Pricing Options - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ - $$$$$ ### Compare Products Sort by **Recommendations**: Sorts listings by the number of recommendations our advisors have made over the past 30 days. Our advisors assess buyers’ needs for free and only recommend products that meet buyers’ needs. Vendors pay Software Advice for these referrals. **Reviews**: Sorts listings by the number of user reviews we have published, greatest to least. **Average Rating**: Sorts listings by overall star rating based on user reviews, highest to lowest. **Alphabetically (A-Z)**: Sorts listings by product name from A to Z. ### [DentiMax](/dental/dentimax-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 94 - Starting price: $499.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview DentiMax Flow is a web-based dental practice management software trusted by thousands of dentists across the United States. Built to serve solo providers, growing group practices, [Read more](/dental/dentimax-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Access Controls/Permissions: 5/5 - Role-Based Permissions: 4.7/5 - Charting: 4/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 4/5 ##### Worst rated features - Medical Billing: 1/5 - Customizable Reports: 1/5 - Customizable Templates: 2/5 - E-Prescribing: 2/5 [See all features](/dental/dentimax-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Core - Price: $499.00/month - Scheduling / Billing / Payment processing Reports CDT Codes Clinical restorative charting and ##### Executive - Price: $699.00/month - Starter Cloud Imaging Software 8 hours of training eClaims bundle with eAttachments Realtime ##### Unlimited - Price: $899.00/month - Unlimited Cloud Imaging Software Unlimited E-Claims Bundle 10 hours of training Patient education [See full pricing details](/dental/dentimax-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Dentrix Ascend](/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 235 - Best for: Customer support - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Dentrix Ascend is a cloud-native dental practice management platform that helps practices improve clinical performance, streamline operations, and drive growth from a single [Read more](/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/) ##### What users love - User-friendly and intuitive interface - Quick learning and onboarding process - Responsive and helpful support team ##### To take in mind - Complex and unreliable reporting tools #### Features ##### Best rated features - Periodontal Charting: 5/5 - Patient Management: 5/5 - Task Management: 5/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/#key-features) --- ### [iDentalSoft](/dental/identalsoft-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 61 - Starting price: $395.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview iDentalSoft is an all-in-one, cloud-based dental practice management solution designed for practices of all sizes and specialties. With over 15 years of industry expertise and [Read more](/dental/identalsoft-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Client Portal: 5/5 - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - E-Prescribing: 5/5 - Medical Billing: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/identalsoft-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $395.00/month - The Basic plan includes core dental practice management features across patient engagement, clinical [See full pricing details](/dental/identalsoft-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Curve Dental](/medical/curve-dental-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.4/5 - Reviews: 285 - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Curve Dental is a comprehensive dental software solution. It is designed to streamline workflows and enhance communication for both independent and multi-location dental practices. [Read more](/medical/curve-dental-profile/) ##### What users love - Intuitive interface for daily tasks - Responsive and helpful support team - Simple onboarding and training resources ##### To take in mind - Confusing and limited billing features #### Features ##### Best rated features - Comparison View: 5/5 - Alerts/Notifications: 5/5 - Task Scheduling: 5/5 - Activity Dashboard: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - API: 1/5 - AI Copilot: 1/5 - Inventory Management: 3/5 - Calendar Management: 3.3/5 [See all features](/medical/curve-dental-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Denticon](/dental-charting/denticon-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 118 - Starting price: $750.00/month - Best for: Value for money - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Developed for multi-location groups and DSOs, Denticon Practice Management is a scalable cloud-based solution that helps 45,000+ users break free from the constraints of legacy [Read more](/dental-charting/denticon-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Image Analysis: 5/5 - Reminders: 5/5 - Task Scheduling: 5/5 - Customer Database: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Alerts/Escalation: 1/5 - Activity Dashboard: 2/5 - Reporting & Statistics: 2.5/5 [See all features](/dental-charting/denticon-profile/#key-features) --- ### [SOTA Cloud](/dental/sota-image-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.6/5 - Reviews: 83 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview SOTA Cloud is a browser-based dental imaging platform that unifies 2D and 3D (CBCT) imaging, clinical AI, patient education, referrals, and analytics in one system, with no imaging [Read more](/dental/sota-image-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - User Management: 5/5 - Automatic Backup: 5/5 - HIPAA Compliant: 4.9/5 - Customizable Templates: 4.8/5 ##### Worst rated features - Image Enhancement: 3.5/5 [See all features](/dental/sota-image-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### SOTA Cloud Core - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request [See full pricing details](/dental/sota-image-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Overjet](/product/508859-Overjet/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 1 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Overjet holds 11 FDA clearances — more than any other dental AI company. At the center of the platform is IRIS, Overjet's AI-native imaging software, which analyzes x-rays as [Read more](/product/508859-Overjet/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - For Dental Practices: 5/5 - Treatment Planning: 5/5 - Claims Management: 5/5 - Records Management: 5/5 [See all features](/product/508859-Overjet/#key-features) --- ### [Apteryx XVWeb](/dental/apteryx-profile/) - Overall rating: 4/5 - Reviews: 7 - Starting price: $250.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Apteryx Imaging is a cloud-based 2D/3D dental imaging solution that allows you to store, view, and optimize clinical images for web-based treatment planning that is accessible in [Read more](/dental/apteryx-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - 2D Drawing: 5/5 - Image Analysis: 5/5 - HIPAA Compliant: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/apteryx-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Akitu One](/dental/akitu-one-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 41 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Akitu One is a modern cloud based Dental Practice Management Software with advanced features like Online Forms, Online Booking, Instant Chat, Integrated Recall Features, Two-Way [Read more](/dental/akitu-one-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - SMS Messaging: 5/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 4.9/5 - Patient Records Management: 4.9/5 - HIPAA Compliant: 4.9/5 ##### Worst rated features - Imaging and X-rays: 3.9/5 [See all features](/dental/akitu-one-profile/#key-features) --- ### [ABELDent](/dental/abeldent-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 112 - Starting price: CA$400.00/month - Best for: Small businesses - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ABELDent is an all-in-one dental practice management platform designed to help practices of all sizes and specialties streamline scheduling, charting, billing, patient [Read more](/dental/abeldent-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Referral Tracking: 5/5 - Image Analysis: 5/5 - Calendar Management: 5/5 - Image Enhancement: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/abeldent-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Enterprise Edition - Price: CA$400.00/month - Includes: Reporting and Analytics: 1 Workstations: 2 Plus: Platform Fee: $400.00 per [See full pricing details](/dental/abeldent-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Novadontics](/dental/novadontics-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 10 - Starting price: $199.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Novadontics offers superior clinical, and front-office tools with mobile access from any web-enabled device that allow clinicians and staff to run their practices smoothly and [Read more](/dental/novadontics-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Imaging and X-rays: 5/5 - Treatment Planning: 5/5 - Confirmations/Reminders: 5/5 - Dental Practice Management: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/novadontics-profile/#key-features) --- ### [ADSTRA Dental Software](/dental/adstra-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 16 - Starting price: $159.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ADSTRA Dental Software offers a fully integrated, all-in-one cloud or on-premise solution for your paperless dental practice. Catering to every aspect of patient care and [Read more](/dental/adstra-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Billing & Invoicing: 5/5 - Scheduling: 5/5 - Treatment Planning: 5/5 - Medical Billing: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/adstra-profile/#key-features) --- ### [ClearDent](/dental/cleardent-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.5/5 - Reviews: 111 - Best for: Ease of use - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview ClearDent is a Canadian-built and owned all-in-one dental software solution to attract, treat, and retain patients. With ClearDent, practices can optimize workflows, increase [Read more](/dental/cleardent-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Appointment Management: 5/5 - Scheduling: 5/5 - Dental Practice Management: 5/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Confirmations/Reminders: 4/5 - Imaging and X-rays: 4/5 [See all features](/dental/cleardent-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Pearl](/product/370902-Pearl/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 4 - Starting price: $299.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Pearl offers a suite of FDA-cleared AI solutions to assist dental professionals by identifying issues earlier and with higher precision. Using FDA-cleared x-ray analysis [Read more](/product/370902-Pearl/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Data Import/Export: 5/5 - HIPAA Compliant: 5/5 - Appointment Management: 5/5 - Charting: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Dental Practice Management: 4/5 - Image Analysis: 4/5 - Progress Notes: 4/5 - Treatment Planning: 4/5 [See all features](/product/370902-Pearl/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $299.00/month [See full pricing details](/product/370902-Pearl/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [tab32](/dental/tab32-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 41 - Starting price: $100.00 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Available #### Overview Headquartered in Sacramento, California, tab32 is the industry's #1 technology platform for patient-first cloud dental electronic health record software (Dental EHR), Dental [Read more](/dental/tab32-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Task Scheduling: 5/5 - Client Management: 5/5 - Patient Management: 5/5 - Progress Notes: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Reports: 1/5 - Electronic Payments: 2/5 - Charting: 2.9/5 - Periodontal Charting: 4/5 [See all features](/dental/tab32-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $100.00 [See full pricing details](/dental/tab32-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Dentrix](/dental/dentrix-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.3/5 - Reviews: 378 - Best for: Charting - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Dentrix is a practice management solution designed to help dental clinics manage appointment scheduling, payment processing, patient records and more. With Dentrix document center, [Read more](/dental/dentrix-profile/) ##### What users love - User-friendly and customizable interface - Easy onboarding and training process - Comprehensive dental office management ##### To take in mind - Slow and inconsistent support experience - Disruptive and problematic updates #### Features ##### Best rated features - Calendar Management: 5/5 - Scheduling: 4.7/5 - Billing & Invoicing: 4.5/5 - Progress Notes: 4.4/5 ##### Worst rated features - Reporting & Statistics: 1/5 [See all features](/dental/dentrix-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Starter - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Basics to run your practice. ##### Accelerator - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Experience & analytics tools. ##### Pro - Price: Custom - Pricing available upon request - Maximize growth. [See full pricing details](/dental/dentrix-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Dentrix Enterprise](/dental/dentrix-enterprise-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.1/5 - Reviews: 101 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Dentrix Enterprise by Henry Schein One is a fully integrated solution for dental care. It is suitable for organizations like large dental groups, DSOs, multi-location practices, [Read more](/dental/dentrix-enterprise-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Patient Management: 4/5 - Patient Records Management: 4/5 - Treatment Planning: 3.8/5 - Appointment Management: 3.7/5 ##### Worst rated features - Billing & Invoicing: 2/5 - Imaging and X-rays: 3/5 - Medical Billing: 3/5 - Client Management: 3/5 [See all features](/dental/dentrix-enterprise-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Dolphin Imaging Plus](/dental/dolphin-imaging-profile/) - Overall rating: 3.5/5 - Reviews: 15 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Dolphin Imaging is a software solution that allows dental specialists to capture, store and import photographs, X-rays, slides and other types of dental images. It offers manual [Read more](/dental/dolphin-imaging-profile/) --- ### [Planmeca Romexis](/dental/planmeca-romexis-profile/) - Overall rating: 3.8/5 - Reviews: 14 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Planmeca Romexis is a cloud-based dental solution designed for dental practices of all sizes to meet their imaging requirements. The solution offers portable image viewer that [Read more](/dental/planmeca-romexis-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Treatment Planning: 4.7/5 - Progress Notes: 4.5/5 - Charting: 4.5/5 - 2D Drawing: 4.5/5 ##### Worst rated features - For Dental Practices: 2.7/5 - Image Enhancement: 3.5/5 - Calibration Management: 3.6/5 - 3D Imaging: 4/5 [See all features](/dental/planmeca-romexis-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Carestream Dental](/medical/carestream-dental-profile/) - Overall rating: 2.8/5 - Reviews: 78 - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Available #### Overview Carestream Dental’s commitment is to provide the software, the technology, the data, the analytics and the expertise to seamlessly connect every aspect of today’s dental [Read more](/medical/carestream-dental-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Billing & Invoicing: 5/5 - Calendar Management: 4/5 - Dental Practice Management: 3.7/5 - Appointment Management: 3.1/5 ##### Worst rated features - E-Prescribing: 1/5 - Client Management: 2/5 - Treatment Planning: 2.3/5 - Image Analysis: 2.3/5 [See all features](/medical/carestream-dental-profile/#key-features) --- ### [Adit](/dental/adit-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 304 - Starting price: $399.00/month - Best for: Value for money - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Adit is a practice management software designed for healthcare practices such as dental, optometry, chiropractic, and orthodontic offices. It centralizes communication, automates [Read more](/dental/adit-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Rescheduling: 5/5 - Contact Database: 5/5 - Document Templates: 5/5 - Document Management: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Charting: 3.6/5 - Treatment Planning: 3.9/5 - Availability Management: 4/5 [See all features](/dental/adit-profile/#key-features) --- ### [DentiCalc](/dental/denticalc-profile/) - Overall rating: 4.9/5 - Reviews: 10 - Starting price: $9.99/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview DentiCalc is a mobile application for dental professionals specifically developed to manage communication between dentist and patient during consultations. It has hundreds of [Read more](/dental/denticalc-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Imaging and X-rays: 5/5 - Treatment Planning: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/denticalc-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: $9.99/month [See full pricing details](/dental/denticalc-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Muntra](/dental/muntra-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 4 - Starting price: €29.00/month - Free trial: Available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Muntra is a cloud-based dental imaging software that offers a comprehensive suite of advanced features designed to enhance the accuracy and detail of your x-rays. At Muntra, we've [Read more](/dental/muntra-profile/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Document Management: 5/5 - Multi-Location: 5/5 - Task Scheduling: 5/5 - Treatment Planning: 5/5 [See all features](/dental/muntra-profile/#key-features) #### Pricing ##### Basic - Price: €29.00/month [See full pricing details](/dental/muntra-profile/#pricing-and-plans) --- ### [Archy](/product/510664-Archy/) - Overall rating: 4.7/5 - Reviews: 6 - Starting price: $899.00/month - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Archy is a cloud-based dental practice management platform that unifies clinical, administrative, and financial operations into a single native workspace accessible from any web [Read more](/product/510664-Archy/) #### Features ##### Best rated features - Records Management: 5/5 - Reminders: 5/5 - Dental Practice Management: 5/5 - Reporting & Statistics: 5/5 ##### Worst rated features - Customizable Reports: 3/5 - Imaging and X-rays: 3/5 - Client Portal: 3/5 [See all features](/product/510664-Archy/#key-features) --- ### [Medicasoft](/medical/medicasoft-profile/) - Overall rating: 5/5 - Reviews: 2 - Starting price: $0.95 - Free trial: Not available - Free demo: Not available #### Overview Based in Ontario, Canada, Medicasoft is a SaaS development company that provides clinic management solutions for privately owned clinics and health providers. Designed to cover [Read more](/medical/medicasoft-profile/) --- 1 [2](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/imaging-comparison/?__ai_markdown=true&page=2) ## Popular Comparisons [ Adit vs Dentrix ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/adit-profile/vs/dentrix/)[ DentiMax vs Curve Dental ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/vs/dentimax/)[ iDentalSoft vs Dentrix Ascend ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentrix-ascend-profile/vs/identalsoft/)[ Akitu One vs ABELDent ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/abeldent-profile/vs/akitu-one/)[ Denticon vs SOTA Cloud ](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental-charting/denticon-profile/vs/sota-image/) Good imaging software can make a big difference when it comes to a dental practice’s profitability. Since most dentists need to see a certain number of patients per day to cover costs, it’s important for their workflow to be as efficient as possible. Unfortunately, clunky or outdated imaging software is often a barrier to achieving peak productivity, because it requires you to spend more time figuring out the system’s kinks than analyzing your patient’s images. Whether you’re looking to replace an existing dental imaging solution, or you’re seeking software for a new practice, we’re here to help you make a smart purchase decision to keep operations running smoothly. The tips in this article are helpful for all practice sizes and specialties, including: - General dentists - Pediatric dentists - Prosthodontists - Orthodontists - Periodontologists - Endodontists - Implantologists - Oral and maxillofacial surgeons We’ll give you a brief definition of dental imaging before explaining the software deployment options available to you, common technical features to compare systems by and screenshots to illustrate functionalities. _Click on a section below to read more:_ [What Is Digital Dental Imaging?](#WhatIsDigitalDentalImaging) [Dental Imaging Software Explained](#DentalImagingSoftwareExplained) [Common Functionality of Dental Imaging Solutions](#CommonFunctionalityofDentalImagingSolutions) [Dental Imaging Software Deployment Options](#DentalImagingSoftwareDeploymentOptions) ## What Is Dental Imaging? An oral examination is not enough for care providers to get a true sense of a patient’s dental health. Dentists must be able to see if there are any worrisome conditions that are obstructed from their view, such as hidden tooth decay, impacted/extra teeth, bone loss from gum disease and/or the growth of any abscesses, cysts or tumors. That’s where imaging technology comes in. It allows professionals to get more clear and comprehensive pictures of teeth, tissue, nerves and bone inside the mouth. These images can then be studied, stored and compared over time to track improvements or identify worsening conditions. _An X-ray image viewed on_ [DentiMax](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/dentimax-profile/) _software_ Dental imaging is necessary because it gives dentists a better chance of detecting problem areas early for more accurate diagnoses. It also allows them to better educate patients because they can share the images, point to specific areas of concern and show why it’s important to adhere to treatment recommendations. ## Digital Dental Imaging Explained In the past, dentists’ offices had film-based radiography equipment that required a darkroom to process images. With the dawn of digital dental imaging tools (and their accompanying software systems), many providers have realized the old method is a time-consuming and ineffective way to use practice resources. Practices that employ digital imaging don’t need a darkroom at all. They can use sensors, pans or intraoral cameras instead. There’s no need for chemical processing, as the images from these devices are immediately generated and accessible via computer. Here are some of the advantages of digital imaging [as described by a study](http://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177\(14\)63459-0/abstract) published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA): - Immediate image production - Interactive monitor display with the ability to enhance image features and make direct measurements - Perfect radiographic duplicates for referral purposes - Security mechanisms to identify original images and differentiate them from altered images - The ability to tag information such as a patient identifier, date of exposure and other relevant details ### Top-Requested Dental Software Functionality This is especially significant because 30 percent of our respondents are not using any kind of software at all to operate their practice. This means that imaging technology is the main purchase driver for many first-time dental software buyers. ## Common Functionality of Dental Imaging Solutions Dental imaging software can be sold either in conjunction with digital sensor equipment or as a stand-alone system that integrates with your existing hardware. In either of these cases, here are some of the most common capabilities among dental imaging systems: | Feature | Description | | --- | --- | | Drawing/annotation tools | Gives users the ability to highlight, annotate or colorize the image to draw attention to a specific area and write notes about it. | | Image adjustments | Brightness and contrast can be adjusted to sharpen the image. Magnification tools are also available to zoom in. | | Cephalometric tracing | Superimpose two or more tracings to assess growth or any other changes. | | Treatment simulation | Allows providers to show patients what the outcomes of possible treatment plans would look like by superimposing multiple surgical treatment simulations. These visualizations can then be saved to the patient’s chart. | | Measuring tools | Measures distance between any points on the image in all directions: vertically, horizontally or diagonally. | | Image quality meters | Indicates whether an image is overexposed, underexposed or just right. | --- _Adjusting the image controls in_ Umbie DentalCare _software_ ## Dental Imaging Software Deployment Options As we mentioned in the previous section of this buyer’s guide, dental practice owners can purchase imaging software independently or as part of a package deal with the sensor equipment included. Some sensor brands that include proprietary imaging software don’t integrate with third-party applications. This can lead to problems down the road. For example, if one of your sensors starts malfunctioning or becomes outdated, you may want to replace it with a different brand of sensor because you find it more affordable or easier to use. But here’s the problem: the new company’s equipment may not be compatible with your existing imaging software, so you’re stuck going back to the original vendor to replace your sensor. **This is why it’s beneficial to buy imaging software that supports hardware from many different manufacturers and allows you to store all the images in one location. You’ll have more freedom to buy the equipment you want without worrying about integration issues.** Another deployment decision you’ll need to make is whether you want to buy best-of-breed imaging software or a [dental software suite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/dental/) that has imaging functionalities, as well as other applications, such as practice management and billing. _Dental imaging in a_ [Curve Dental](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/curve-dental-profile/) _software suite_ Even though suites are typically more expensive due to the extra capabilities, many practices find it’s worth the extra expense. An integrated solution allows dentists and their staff to combine all of a patient’s clinical and administrative records in one place, seamlessly switching from their X-rays to their billing information with a few clicks on the same system. _Note: The applications selected in this article are examples to show a feature in context and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations. They have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication._ ### Related Dental Imaging Software - [Clinical Trial Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/clinical-trial-management/) - [Electronic Lab Notebook Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/electronic-lab-notebook/) - [Laboratory Information Management System Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/lim/) - [Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/laboratory-information-systems/) - [Medical Imaging Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical-imaging/) - [Medical Lab Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical-lab/) - [Nutrition Analysis Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/nutrition-analysis/) - [PACS Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/medical/picture-archiving-and-communication-systems-comparison/) - [Vaccine Management Software](https://www.softwareadvice.com/vaccine-management/)