Evaluation of a new digital panoramic system: a comparison with film.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the Orthophos DS digital panoramic system (Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) for the detection of dento-alveolar disease in comparison with film.


METHODS
Five patients selected for admission to the School of Dentistry had a panoramic radiograph obtained with the Orthophos Plus (Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) system, a digital panoramic image obtained with the Orthophos DS (Sirona, Bensheim, Germany) system and a full mouth series. The ground truth was determined from the full mouth series by a panel of board certified oral and maxillofacial radiologists using the Delphi method. Four observers scored both the film and digital panoramic images for the presence of caries and marginal periodontitis. Results were statistically analysed using ROC analysis and ANOVA.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference (P=0.704) between the two modalities for the detection of caries but there was a significant difference (P=0.015) for the detection of periodontal disease where conventional panoramic film performed better than the digital image.


CONCLUSIONS
Though the conventional film was better than the digital image for the detection of periodontal disease, further studies are needed to determine the clinical significance of this result in relation to the potential advantages of digital technology.
Ramesh
A
A
Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Department of Diagnostic Sciences and General Dentistry, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill 27599, USA.
Tyndall
D A
DA
Ludlow
J B
JB
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012372:ROC Curve; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014962:X-Ray Film