DENTAL X-RAY IMAGING SYSTEM

An X-ray imaging system comprising an X-ray image sensor and an image capture controller is provided. The X-ray image sensor includes a sensor array comprising a plurality of CMOS active column sensors. The image capture controller communicates with the X-ray image sensor to read out pixel values from selected ones of the CMOS active column sensor elements. The image capture controller may randomly select reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and compare a signal of the reference pixels to a predetermined level to determine a start of X-ray exposure. The image capture controller also may randomly select second reference pixels from the plurality of CMOS active column sensor elements, and monitor the second reference pixels to determine an end of X-ray exposure. The X-ray imaging system also may include a wireless interface for coupling the X-ray image sensor to the image capture controller. The X-ray imaging system may be used as a dental X-ray imaging system. An intraoral X-ray image sensor comprising a scintillator that converts an X-ray energy image into a visible-light image and a sensor array including a plurality of CMOS active column sensors which converts the visible-light image into an electrical signal also may be provided.