Frequency of artifacts with xeroradiography using artifact-reduction techniques

Dose reduction in dental radiography

All exposures to ionizing radiation for medical and dental purposes carry risks to both the patient and staff. It is now accepted practice that all exposures should be kept as low as reasonably practicable to minimize these risks. The various methods currently available for dose limitation in intraoral and panoramic radiography and their effects on image quality are considered. In intraoral radiography the use of fast (E-speed) film and rectangular collimation offer dose reductions of approximately 50 per cent and 60 per cent respectively. Constant potential X-ray units, longer focus-to-skin distances and rare-earth filtration will permit further dose reductions. In panoramic radiography the radiation dose to the patients can be reduced by up to one-eighth by combining the use of constant potential X-ray units, rare-earth intensifying screens and rare-earth filtration.

A subjective study of dental diagnostic utility comparing xeroradiography and film radiography

This study determined the perceived strengths and weaknesses of xeroradiography, D-speed film, and E-speed film for intraoral radiography. Results indicated that xeroradiography was preferred for the imaging of structures useful in periodontics and endodontics whereas film demonstrated a low level of image artifacts and was judged to be better for the imaging requirements of routine restorative dentistry. D-speed film was rated higher than E-speed film. These subjective assessments are similar to previously reported pilot studies but differ from previously published objective studies, which showed no significant difference between the three imaging techniques. Although there are substantial subjective differences between xeroradiography, D-speed film radiography, and E-speed film radiography, all the techniques provide more than the threshold level of necessary diagnostic information and all techniques portray adequate information for evaluation of common abnormalities encountered in the oral cavity.

Xeroradiography and its application to dentistry

Xeroradiography is a highly accurate electrostatic imaging technique. In this technique a conventional single-phase dental x-ray unit is used as an x-ray source, but instead of a silver-halide film image, a uniformly charged selenium alloy plate housed in a light-proof cassette is used. In this article the equipment, procedure, properties and artifacts related to the xeroradiographic technique are described. An evaluation of the xeroradiographic images is also presented. Xeroradiography, which requires only about one-third of the dose required for conventional radiographs, is a valuable alternative to conventional radiography for detecting carious lesions, calculus deposits and periodontal disease. It is also of value in interpreting periapical structures.

Clinical recommendations for the use of D-speed film, E-speed film, and xeroradiography

This article assesses the diagnostic utility, radiation dose, equipment reliability, patient acceptance, and costs associated with D-speed film, E-speed film, and dental xeroradiographs for intraoral imaging. From the analysis and review of laboratory studies and clinical trials, conclusions and recommendations are offered.