Digital imaging systems provide advantages over traditional radiography such as immediate image viewing and sharing, enhanced images, reduced radiation exposure, and electronic storage. The document discusses the history of x-rays, compares digital and traditional radiography, and reviews several popular intraoral digital systems. Key factors to consider when purchasing a digital system include sensor size and shape, software features, computer hardware, and service and support.
3. • 1895: Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen X-rays
• Two weeks after: Otto Walkoff: First dental x-ray
• ALARA principle
“As low as reasonably achievable”
• 1987: First digital x-ray sensor for use in dentistry by
Dr Francis Mouyen ( Later Marketed by Kodak).
• 2006: End of the film-base radiology??
5. “You may simply let the patients
know that they’ll be getting about
90% less radiation than they would
from a standard x-ray.”
6. “The images come up instantly as
patients are in the chair; the images
are so large that patients can’t help
but become involved in the diagnosis.”
7. “Most patients are amazed at how
quickly the image comes up on the
screen and are impressed by its
size.”
8. “Don’t have to spend a lot of time
trying to sell the technology.
Simply let patients know what it is
and let them see the images.”
9. “Requires much lower exposure-
times than film thus reducing the
patient’s radiation consumption
dose.”
10. “Patients will view the the doctor
as making a more accurate
diagnosis by using improved
technology.”
11. ... The images can be immediately
brought up on the screen for the
patient to view and it can be
magnified from 100% to 300%.”
12. “It combines superior design with
outstanding performance,
resulting in perfect quality x-rays.”
13. “It’s been more than 100 years
since X-rays were invented.”
• Radiographic imaging process has not been
changed much.
14. Standard Radiographs
• Image receptor: film
• Image processing: photochemical
(developing, fixing, washing/rinsing, drying)
• Viewing: radiograph on illuminator
• Storage: radiograph
15. Digital Images
• Image receptor: CCD or screen
• Image processing: cpu and software or laser,
cpu and software
• Viewing: image on screen or print-out
• Storage: on disk or paper hard copy
16. Advantages/Disadvantages
Radiographs vs. Digital Images
• portable • not portable
• familiar
• can be viewed by all
• initially inexpensive
• must send by mail
• one viewer
• new technology
• must have
hardware/software
• inexpensive after
initial investment
• transmissible by wire*
• viewed
simultaneously
31. Advantages/Disadvantages
Radiographs vs. Digital Images
• film disposal • no film disposal
• chemical/silver
disposal
• film placement is easy
• no chemicals
• cable connection
interferes with
placement
32. Digital Imaging:
Most significant advantages:
- Computer-aided image interpretation
- Image enhancement
- Image archiving
- Image retrieval
33. Digital Imaging
More Advantages
-No Chemical processing
-No Hazardous wastes
-Images can be transferred electronically
-Patient Education
-Time
-Less Radiation
34. Radiovisiographic image with contrast effect of the upper right
canine after root canal obturation made by the manual lateral-
vertical technique of gutta-percha compaction
35. A marked area of the apical
portion of the root for
zooming in ‘window’ format
37. Digital Imaging
Disadvantages
-Cost
-new technology = uncertainty
-rigidity and thickness of the sensor
-System crash
-Infection Control a challenge :-
(sensor cant be sterilized)
-unknown sensor lifespan
39. Intraoral Systems
•RVG 6100 / 5100
Kodak Dental System Group www.kodak.com/dental
•Computed Digital Radiography: CDR
Schick Technologies
•SIDEXIS IO2
Sirona Dental Systems
•DEXIS
DEXIS Digital X-Ray
•ImageRAYi
Dentrix
• Lightyear (Light Year Technology)
41. • OpTimeA
Soredex USA,
• DenOptix QST
Gendex Imaging
• ScanX
Air Techniques
Intraoral Systems
PSP Systems
42. Factors that might influence your purchasing decision:
•Sensors: Size
Shape
Positioning devices
•Software features
•Computer equipment: Processor
System memory (RAM)
Hard disk space
43. ADA in 2006 evaluated 7* direct digital system:
•DIXI 3 Planmeca
•CDR Schick Technologies
•Image RAYi Dentrix Dental System
•RVG 6000 Kodak Dental Systems
•Sigma Instrumentarium Dental, Inc.
•VisualiX eHD GENDEX Dental Systems
•DEXIS * Dexis LCC
19 clinicians under standard conditions for interpretation
44. Perceptibility Test
Accuracy, Sensitivity, and Specificity of Evaluated Systems
CDR 93.2 88.9 98.9
DIXI 86.3 80.0 98.9
ImageRAYi 93.7 91.1 98.9
RVG 94.0 91.1 100
Sigma 88.6 82.9 100
VisualiX 86 81.1 95.8
Accuracy Sensitivity Specificity
56. So what should one look for...?
• Do I need this now?
• How many operatories are equipped
with tubeheads?
• Are you & your staff willing to learn
new techniques?
• Can I communicate with other
practitioners (or other offices)?
57. • How easy is it to back up the images?
• Can I get upgraded software and if so,
what would it cost?
• How is servicing handled? Cost,
availability, time to arrive?
So what should one look for...?
58. Both Happy Families But you have to
keep on be upgrading yourself
(As and When BUDGET allows!!)