Three phosphor plate systems and film compared for imaging root canals.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare three phosphor plate intraoral imaging systems (Digora (DA), Digident (DT), Denoptix (DX)) and E-speed conventional film (CF) for the imaging of root canals.


METHODS
Sixty extracted permanent teeth were exposed using CF, DA, DT and DX. The length of root canal visible from its most apical extent to a line drawn at the level of the cementoenamel junction was measured and this was expressed as a percentage of the distance between the radiographic apex and the cementoenamel line. All images were examined concurrently by two examiners. Films were viewed under standardized conditions and DA, DT and DX images were viewed directly from the monitor screen. The images on the monitor were enhanced to give the subjectively clearest image.


RESULTS
The mean percentage of canal visible on CF was 90%, DA 78%, DT 81% and DX 83%. The difference was significant for CF-DA (P < 0.001) and CF-DT (P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference for CF-DX or between any of the three phosphor plate imaging systems.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that a greater length of root canal was visible on conventional film than on three phosphor plate imaging systems and that this may be of clinical significance.
Shearer
A C
AC
Turner Dental School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. ann.shearer@man.ac.uk
Mullane
E
E
Macfarlane
T V
TV
Gröndahl
H G
HG
Horner
K
K
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014962:X-Ray Film