Intraoral imaging system

An intraoral dental imaging system, comprising:

• a processor unit having a power supply, a light source, and video output circuitry;
• a video camera assembly having a first plug-in module for releasably connecting the video camera assembly to said processor unit, said first plug-in module connected to a probe containing a miniature video camera by a first umbilical cord;
• an x-ray camera assembly having a second plug-in module for releasably connecting the x-ray camera assembly to said power supply, said x-ray camera assembly including a sensing head connected to a second umbilical cord to a second plug-in module, said second plug-in module being received within said processor unit, converting means in the sensing head for converting x-ray input signals into electrical output signals and forwarding said electrical output signals to a video processor mounted in the second plug-in module, an x-ray sensor means in the sensing head for detecting x-rays, and a triggering means for triggering x-ray acquisition from a sensor, said triggering means associated with said sensor means for enabling said converting means when x-rays are detected and disabling said converting means when x-rays are not detected by said sensor means;
• and
• each of said first and second plug-in modules having processing means for producing video output signals.

A method for using an intraoral dental imaging system, said system including a processor unit having contained therein a power supply, a light source, and processing circuitry, said system further including a video camera module and an x-ray video module, said method including the steps of:

• operably attaching one of said x-ray module and said video camera module to said processor unit;
• acquiring one of x-ray images and video images using said attached module;
• and
• removing said module from said processor unit;
• and
• operably attaching the other of said x-ray module and said video module to said processor unit to acquire corresponding images.