Dental X-rays can now be taken using sensors that transmit the image directly into a computer monitor. This larger image helps the patient understand the doctor's explanations more easily and enables the doctor to “zoom in” on a specific area of the tooth. An important advantage to this new technology is that reduces the amount of radiation by 90%. Digital X-rays are faster. The digital image only takes a minute or two to appear in the monitor. In addition, this new technology is friendly to the environment since no chemicals are needed for developing the image.