ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL
RADIOLOGY
Digital Imaging
[Link] R. SHAMIAH
MSC. OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
INTRODUCTION
• For more than a century, film has been the only
medium and recording device for dental radiography.
• Today, digital technology can be found in many
aspects of a dental office, including intraoral digital
cameras, digital blood pressure cuffs, and electronic
patient files.
• Such advances in computer technology have
resulted in a unique “filmless” radiography system
known as digital imaging.
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• Digital imaging is a technique used to record
radiographic images. Unlike conventional dental
radiography techniques no film or processing
chemistry is used.
• Instead, digital imaging uses an electronic sensor as
well as a computerized imaging system that produces
radiographic images almost instantly on a computer
monitor.
• The purpose of digital imaging is to generate images
that can be used in the diagnosis and assessment of
dental disease.
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USES OF DIGITAL IMAGING
1. To detect lesions, diseases and conditions of teeth
and surrounding structures.
2. To confirm or classify suspected disease.
3. To provide information during dental procedures
(e.g., root canal therapy instrumentation and
surgical placement of implants).
4. To evaluate growth and development.
5. To illustrate changes secondary to caries,
periodontal disease or trauma.
6. To document the condition of a patient at a
specific point in time.
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FUNDAMENTALS
• The term digital imaging refers to a method of
capturing a radiographic image using a sensor,
breaking the image into electronic pieces, and
presenting and storing the image using a computer.
• In digital imaging, a sensor or small detector, is
placed inside the mouth of the patient to capture the
radiographic image. The sensor is used in place of
intraoral dental film.
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• The x-ray beam is aimed to strike the sensor. An
electronic charge is produced on the surface of the
sensor; this electronic signal is digitized, or converted
into “digital” form.
• The sensor, in turn, transmits this information to a
computer, and the computer stores the incoming
electronic signal.
• Data acquired by the sensor are communicated to the
computer in analog form and are then converted into
digital form by the use of an analog-to-digital
converter (ADC).
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• Software is used to store the image electronically.
• The image is displayed within seconds to minutes and
may be readily manipulated to enhance the
appearance for interpretation and diagnosis. With
digital imaging.
• Digital imaging systems are not limited to intraoral
images; panoramic, cephalometric, and other
extraoral images may also be obtained.
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A panoramic machine used with digital imaging.
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RADIATION EXPOSURE
• Requires less x-radiation than does conventional
radiography, because the typical sensor is more
sensitive to x-radiation than is conventional film.
• Exposure times for digital imaging are 50% to 90% less
than those required for conventional radiography.
• With less radiation exposure, the absorbed dose to
the patient is significantly reduced.
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EQUIPMENT
1. X-Radiation Source.
2. Intraoral sensor.
3. Computer.
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X-RADIATION SOURCE:
Use a conventional dental x-ray unit as
the x-radiation source.
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INTRAORAL SENSOR
A wired sensor used with digital imaging showing the
intraoral sensor at one end and the link to the computer
at the other end. [Link] Shamiah 12
COMPUTER
A computer is used to browse & store
the incoming electronic signal.
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TYPES OF DIGITAL IMAGING
(1) Direct digital imaging .
(2) Indirect digital imaging.
A- Scanning Traditional Radiographs.
B- Storage Phosphor Imaging.
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(1) DIRECT DIGITAL IMAGING :
• A sensor with a fiberoptic cable linked to the
computer is placed into the mouth of the patient and
exposed to x-radiation.
• The sensor captures the radiographic image and then
transmits the image to a computer monitor.
• Software is then used to enhance and store the
image.
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(2) INDIRECT DIGITAL IMAGING:
A- Scanning Traditional Radiographs
• The essential components include a charge-coupled
device CCD camera and a computer.
• The CCD camera scans the image on the film,
digitizes or converts the image, and then displays it
on the computer monitor.
• Indirect digital imaging is inferior to direct digital
imaging because the resultant image is similar to a
“copy” of an image versus the “original” image.
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B- Storage Phosphor Imaging:
• It is a wireless digital imaging system.
It is also referred to as photo-
stimulable phosphor imaging (PSP).
• In this system, a reusable imaging
plate coated with phosphors is used
instead of a sensor with a fiberoptic
cable.
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• The phosphor-coated plate is flexible and is placed into
the mouth in the same way as intraoral film, Storage
phosphor imaging records diagnostic data on a plate
after x-ray exposure and then uses a high-speed scanner
to convert the information into electronic files.
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STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURES
- Sensor Preparation:
It is important that the individual sensors are kept sterile.
Storage phosphor sensors are sealed and waterproofed.
For infection control purposes, sensors must be covered
with a disposable barrier, because they cannot
withstand heat sterilization.
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- Sensor Placement
• The sensor is held in the mouth by
bite-block attachments or devices
that aim the beam and sensor
accurately.
• The paralleling technique is the
preferred exposure method
because of various manufacturers
have produced beam alignment
devices that can be used not only
with film but with wired sensors.
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ADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL
IMAGING
1. Superior gray-scale resolution:
Digital imaging uses up to 256 (over 16,000,
depending on the manufacturer) shades of gray
compared with the 16 to 25 shades of gray
differentiated on conventional film.
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2. Reduced exposure to x-radiation:
50% to 90% less than that required for E-speed film
used in conventional radiography.
3. Increased speed of image viewing:
allows for immediate interpretation and
evaluation.
4. Lower equipment and film cost.
5. Increased efficiency:
ability to access both patient data and digital
images simultaneously.
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6. Enhancement of diagnostic image:
Additional features commonly available in image
software include brightness, contrast, sharpness,
image orientation, and pseudo-color alteration.
7. Effective patient education tool.
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DISADVANTAGES OF DIGITAL
IMAGING
1. Initial setup costs.
2. Sensor size and thickness.
3. Infection control.
4. Wear and tear.
5. Legal issues.
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Thank you
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