Use of the direct magnification technique in dental radiology.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential use of the direct magnification (DIMA) technique in dental radiology.


METHODS
Radiographs of anatomical specimens and extracted teeth were prepared under clinical conditions using a microfocus (8 and 16 microns focal diameter) X-ray tube. Entrance dose was measured using an ionization chamber. Image quality was assessed in a single-blind test of pairs of images of extracted teeth with and without caries by ten observers.


RESULTS
At 7.3 x magnification the values for exposure time and entrance dose were comparable with those for conventional intraoral radiography, 0.1 and 0.25 s and 1.5 and 2.9 mSv respectively. Diagnostic accuracy using the DIMA images was significantly (P < 0.0001) better compared with dental radiographs.


CONCLUSIONS
DIMA images with significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy can be obtained at comparable exposure times and entrance doses to conventional intraoral radiographs.
Wichmann
M G
MG
Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University, Hannover, Germany.
von Brenndorff
A I
AI
D006801:Humans; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011858:Radiographic Magnification / Q000379:methods*; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013679:Technology, Radiologic