With many options in the market, choosing a handheld veterinary dental x-ray can be taxing. Moreover, you may not even know what to get without the right guidance.
This article discusses everything about handheld veterinary dental x-ray devices, including what they are, how they work, and the things you need to consider before buying one.
What is a Handheld Veterinary Dental X-Ray?
A handheld veterinary dental x-ray is a compact system that allows you to take x-ray images of the mouth and teeth of animals.
The three major components of portable dental x-ray systems include:
The X-Ray Machine
The x-ray machine is used to shoot x-ray beams into the sensor. It consists of a generator, x-ray tube, and a rechargeable battery assembled into a single unit.
Handheld dental x-ray machines are shaped like a pistol, allowing the practitioner to direct the beams exactly where they want. In addition, as they are digital systems, you don’t require a darkroom to operate them.
The Sensor
A sensor is a device positioned between the teeth and the x-ray machine to take images as required. The quality of the image taken depends on the type of sensor you’re using.
Since the sensor needs to be placed inside the animal’s mouth, it’s tiny. In most cases, it's only a couple of inches.
In handheld x-ray systems, the sensor can be directly connected to the computer via USB or wireless connection (WiFi or Bluetooth).
The Software
Software is a program installed on the computer that allows you to store, analyze, and manage the images taken by the x-ray device.
Many x-ray device providers offer their own software, which means the learning curve, features, and methods of functioning of different software aren’t the same.
Things to Consider While Buying Handheld Veterinary Dental X-Ray Devices
Now that you know the basics of handheld dental veterinary x-ray devices, we look at the things that you need to consider before buying one:
Prices
Price is important when choosing a handheld veterinary x-ray device, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. As you can see, x-ray devices cost a lot of money to manufacture, so the good ones will always cost more than the unreliable ones.
Remember, repairing broken handheld x-ray devices may cost you a lot of money. In other words, paying more upfront for a high-quality device is actually more economical in the long term than going for a dirt-cheap machine.
The Type of the Generator
Especially for dental x-ray devices, it is essential to have a high-frequency generator.
High-frequency generators can give an output of upto 20 kHz, as opposed to only 70 Hz in most conventional systems.
This means that these generators can release x-ray beams with a very high penetrative power, resulting in clearer images.
In addition, high-frequency beams don’t need much time to capture the image, meaning that the patient’s mouth doesn’t need to be exposed to the rays for a long time.
Battery Backup
The battery is the primary source of power in most handheld x-ray devices.
There are basically two things to check when analyzing the battery.
The first one is the battery backup, this means how many images you can take in a single charge.
And the second one is the charging time. If you have many patients in your clinic, you wouldn’t want anyone to wait for long just because the device is charging.
Note: Especially if you are always on the move, look for a device with a removable battery. This way, you can always depend on a backup if the main battery dies.
Software Features
Good x-ray software isn’t only limited to storing images. You’ll have to be able to rely on it to manage the entire workflow and make your practice more convenient than ever.
Some of the essential features to look for in dental x-ray software include cloud storage, sharing of images, storing of the information of patients, and in-depth analysis of the images from various angles.
Don’t forget to check the availability of presets for different animals and teeth types, so that you wouldn’t need to set up the software from scratch every time a new patient arrives.
The Device Provider
The device supplier should be responsible and transparent. They should be willing to offer you training and good customer service in case anything goes wrong.
Remember, you wouldn’t want a provider who takes a lot of time to reply when you tell them about a problem. After all, your business shouldn’t stop because of an issue with your x-ray machine.
Finally, don’t forget to be clear about the hidden charges for customer support and the warranties and service agreements if you rent the device.
Other Things to Know Before Choosing the X-Ray Device
In addition to the above, here are some other things to know before buying the machine:
Exposure Count
Exposure count is the number of times the x-ray device has been used. If you are buying a used device, the exposure count should be as low as possible.
But remember that if the device has gone through regular maintenance and the parts have been replaced as required, the exposure count won’t matter as much.
The Warranty and the Paperwork
You’ll need to be crystal clear about the terms and conditions of the warranties offered. Make sure you complete all the paperwork and have all the documents you’ll need while claiming the warranty.
Even if you’re renting the device, ask the supplier if the warranty applies.
Looking to Buy a Handheld Veterinary Dental X-Ray Device?
newvetequipment.com offers them at the best prices! We only sell items from vetted manufacturers, and we’ll also ensure that you won’t have to wait or worry when you have any device issues. You can browse our devices or contact us to learn more about our services.
