When disasters involve hundreds or thousands of victims, it is impractical to identify victims through the traditional plain film method of exposing radiographs and manually comparing dental records. Accurate forensic dental identification requires point-by-point comparison of a complete set of mouth x-rays, which can be as many as 18 to 21 images in which all points of comparison must match exactly or in which differences must be explained. Digital technology permits the instantaneous side-by-side display of antemortem and postmortem radiographic images on a computer screen without the need for a conventional light box. Digital images can also be digitally transmitted to virtually any location in the world, thus avoiding the delay of mailing or hand-delivering dental records. Decreased turnaround time and increased productivity are the most important advantages of digital radiography during mass disaster dental identification. The first use of digital dental radiography in mass disasters followed the crash of TWA Flight 800 off Long island, NY, in July 1996. There was skepticism about whether digital evidence would be accepted in court; however, case law was established by two court cases of digital enhancement of fingerprints. This ensured that digital radiography is the gold standard for dental identification in mass disasters. Most reports show that digital media have a shelf life of several decades, which is sufficient to satisfy most jurisdictional requirements. Film may last longer, but only in well-controlled storage areas with a constantly monitored climate. Image integrity is addressed by commercial digital radiographic software, which does not permit changes to image content; users can only manipulate brightness and contrast.