Few pieces of equipment are as vital to a dental practice as dental x-rays. Dental x-rays allow you to view what's going on inside your patients' teeth, from the crown to the root and even the jawbone. Even if you have the top of the line x-ray equipment for dentists, it will be useless unless you also have the necessary supplies on hand to keep it functioning throughout your busy day.

From film and digital sensors to bitewing tabs and loops and even film envelopes to file your patient's xrays, supplies for dental x-ray equipment are as important to your practice as cleaning agents and impression material. When it comes to supplies for dental xrays, keep the following in mind:

1. Have the most crucial supplies for dental x-ray equipment on hand at all times.

2. Remember other essential supplies for dental xray equipment such as bitewing tabs and cleaning film.

3. Buy in bulk to enjoy savings and to ensure inventory of your dental xray supplies never runs low.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stock up on film for your dental xray equipment and never leave a patient down in the mouth

Among the most important supplies for dental xray equipment, of course, is film. Unless you're using a digital dental xray, you'll need film on hand as you'll likely go through plenty of it, especially in a high-volume practice. Even if you have gone digital, you'll need supplies for digital dental xrays.

I recommend: Find film for both intraoral and panoramic dental x-rays, of varying speeds and sizes, from boxes of 50 up to boxes of 600, at Net32. Get digital sensors, or bundles that include sensors as well as software and more, from DentiMax.

Realize there's more to dental xrays than just film

While film or digital sensors are undeniably important, there are other supplies for your dental xray equipment that you should keep on hand. Bitewing tabs and loops, for example, are necessary to position the film in a patient's mouth, and cleanup film ensures proper film development.

I recommend: Select from a list of bitewing loops, bitewing tabs and sensor flaps from top names in the dental supply business, such as Denstply, at Darby Dental Supply. Find nearly all the crucial supplies for dental x-ray equipment, from cleanup film to sleeves and mounts, at Best Buy Dental Supply.

Maintain inventory and save when bulk ordering your supplies for dental x-ray equipment

You likely know by now that having enough dental xray supplies on hand is important, but there's also the added benefit of saving money when you buy in large quantities. Keep your inventory high and your budget low when you order dental x-ray supplies in bulk.

I recommend: Save on the already-inexpensive price per xray film hanger by ordering in bulk from International Dental Supply. Save several dollars per box when ordering five or more boxes of dental xray film from Medical Arts Press. Get free shipping when you place film orders over $300 with X-Ray Express.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Order envelopes and jackets specifically designed for x-ray film to keep your patients' dental x-rays filed neatly.

Purchasing dental x-ray equipment requires planning, research and thought. Selecting reliable, easy to use and accurate dental x-ray equipment is crucial to the success of your dental office or laboratory.

Not only do you need to consider the type or types of dental x-ray equipment that you wish to use, you also need to consider cost, financing and equipment reliability. When purchasing dental x-ray equipment, be sure to:

1. Figure out what kinds of dental x-ray equipment you need to purchase.

2. Look at used and refurbished dental x-ray equipment if you want to purchase reliable, high quality equipment but have concerns about cost.

3. Secure bank financing to pay for your dental x-ray equipment purchases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine what dental x-ray equipment you need to purchase

Dentists often require different types of dental x-ray equipment depending on the tasks they intend to perform. You may need to purchase a dental x-ray scanner or a digital dental x-ray.

I recommend: Med1Online offers various types of dental x-ray equipment including intraoral x-ray equipment, panoramic x-ray equipment, digital x-ray sensors and x-ray films and accessories. Obtain intraoral x-ray equipment and panoramic x-ray equipment from KAB Dental.

Consider purchasing used dental x-ray equipment to save money

The costs of x-ray equipment for dentists can seem prohibitive. If cost is a concern for you, consider looking at the refurbished and used dental equipment for sale. You can get high quality, reliable dental x-ray equipment while saving money by going this route.

I recommend: Look at the refurbished x-ray equipment for dentists available from BuyDentalEquipment.com. Check out the used dental x-ray equipment and accessories at Pre-Owned Dental.

Look into financing for the purchase of dental x-ray equipment

It is necessary to think about how you plan to pay for the dental x-ray equipment that you purchase for your business. Many banks and financial companies have special equipment financing programs for health professionals, including dentists.

I recommend: Get information on financing the purchase of dental x-ray equipment from Doctors Financial Services Group. Consider using Bank of America to finance your dental x-ray equipment purchases. Look at the equipment financing options available through the Bankers Healthcare Group (BHG).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't forget to look into warranties and repair services for the dental x-ray equipment that you purchase. Many dental x-ray equipment providers offer these services to their customers.
• •  Purchase all of the accessories that go along with dental x-ray machines. Don't forget films, x-ray envelopes and other accessories that you may need for your business.

One of the most expensive pieces of dental equipment can be a dental x-ray unit. With that in mind, budget accordingly when you're preparing to start your practice so the pricing and costs of dental x-ray equipment don't come as a shock. Spending more now, will save you in the long run, because you'll have dental xray equipment that will last you for years and years.

Whether you opt for mounting dental x-rays, a digital dental xray or a portable unit, or go with an intraoral or panoramic dental x-ray, you don't always have to overspend to get what you need. When it comes to the pricing and costs of dental x-ray equipment, consider the following:

1. Buy dental x-ray equipment from the same supplier you purchase your dental supplies from and take advantage of any money-saving programs.

2. Price different kinds of dental x-ray equipment and choose the type that works for your practice and your budget.

3. Save hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars by buying used dental x-ray equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stick with your supplier and enjoy savings on dental x-ray equipment

When it comes to x-ray equipment for dentists, you'll find that loyalty pays off in the dental supply business. Most major dental suppliers offer discounts and other perks to dentists who not only come to them for their sundries, but for equipment as well. Save with rebates, discounts of up to 20% and a reduction on maintenance fees.

I recommend: Enroll in the Patterson Plus Program at Patterson Dental and enjoy perks such as a rebate on new equipment purchased and financed through Patterson, and a generous discount on service labor fees. Join the Privileges Program at Henry Schein Dental for an extended warranty on new dental x-ray equipment as well as labor discounts.

Avoid overspending by choosing the right dental x-ray for your practice

Depending on your practice, you may opt for a relatively basic intraoral x-ray, such as the kind that takes bite-wings, rather than for a panoramic machine that can take full-mouth x-rays and can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Or, maybe a more reasonably priced portable unit will be easier for you to operate than mounting dental x-rays. The difference between types of dental x-rays can range from a few to several thousand dollars.

I recommend: Choose from intraoral, digital or panoramic dental x-rays at reasonable prices from Thompson Dental Equipment. Visit Lion's Dental Supply to find a comprehensive list of intraoral, panoramic and portable dental x-rays, some worth $50,000 and more, for nearly 50% off in some cases. Choose either mobile or mounting dental x-rays available at Zap Medical, most for between $2,000 and $4,000.

Go for used dental x-ray equipment and soften the hit to your wallet

If you're just starting up a practice and can't purchase new equipment, look into used dental x-rays. You'll find many used x-ray machines from top manufacturers in the business at hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars less than new equipment would cost.

I recommend: Find refurbished x-rays from familiar manufacturers of dental x-ray equipment such as Siemens and Phillips/Sordex for well under $10,000 at KAB Dental. Select from a huge list of used dental x-rays from Belmont, Gendex, Sordex and more, at a fraction of the price of new equipment, at BuyDentalEquipment.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look into a service agreement with whatever dental supplier you buy your dental xray equipment from. You can likely save by avoiding costly repairs down the road when you have regular maintenance on your dental x-ray machine.

Dental X-ray equipment is vital for a dentist's office. X-rays are often used to reveal problems in the mouth that may not be evident in a physical exam. Dental X-rays also serve as a record for the patients. There is a variety of choices for dental X-ray equipment in the office. Most offices have the X-ray machine and the means to develop the film. Some offices also offer view boxes in the exam rooms to show patients their X-ray results.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

X-ray film

X-ray film is the material upon which X-rays are printed. X-ray film is double-coated with an emulsion sensitive to radiation in order to produce clear pictures.

I recommend: GE Healthcare offers additional information on the history and use of X-ray film in medicine and dentistry.

Intraoral X-ray

An intraoral X-ray device is a specific type of X-ray machine that offers a low radiation exposure to patients while providing dentists clear dental X-rays. Many intraoral devices can be hand held for convenience.

I recommend: Medicine Net provides information on the types and uses of intraoral and extraoral X-ray systems.

X-ray cassette

The X-ray cassette is a product that holds the X-ray film upon which the dentist is ready to shoot the picture. X-ray cassettes come in a variety of sizes to fit X-ray film.

I recommend: Panoramic offers information on how cassettes are equipped with intensifying screens and common film problems due to a bad cassette or intensifying screen.

X-ray film reader

An X-ray film reader is a device that allows dentists and other medical professionals to view dental films on a computer or video monitor. The reader also has the ability to read wet and dry film.

I recommend: TPC Dental offers literature and product manuals on its XR700 USB X-ray film reader.

View box, illuminators

X-ray view boxes are a type of light box used to view X-rays. The light illuminates behind the X-ray to show the negative areas of the X-ray.

I recommend: Wolf offers specifications on its full line of X-ray illuminators for medicine and dentistry. The website also provides instructions for wall mounting the units.

Apron

An apron for dental X-rays serves as a barrier between the X-ray and the patient for protection. Aprons are lead-lined and protect the patient from the neck to the lap.

I recommend: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry offers information on the safeguards used when exposing children to radiation from X-rays, including the use of a lead apron.