title: Image quality in partially erased DenOptix storage phosphor plates.
abstract: This study aimed at investigating the effect of the partial erasing of DenOptix system storage phosphor plates on the image quality of digital radiographs. Standardized digital radiographs were acquired of a phantom mandible, using size 2 intraoral DenOptix storage phosphor plates (n = 10). Subsequently, the active areas of the plates were placed in a viewing box with a constant light intensity of 1,700 lux for 130 seconds to achieve complete erasing (control plate), as well as for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 34, 66, and 98 seconds, to compose the experimental group of partially erased plates. The same exposure settings were repeated using the control and experimental plates, which were scanned at a resolution of 300 dpi. Five radiologists independently examined the pairs of digital radiographs obtained with the control and partially erased plates, in random order, and indicated the best image for oral diagnosis. Cochran-Mantel-Haenszels chi-square test, at a significance level of 5%, was used to compare the percentages of superior quality images in each combination of control and partially erased plates, subjectively assessed. No significant differences were found between radiographic images acquired with control and partially erased plates, except for the combination of 0 second (30%) versus 130 seconds (70%), p = 0.0047. It can be concluded that, under adequate light intensity conditions, erasing intraoral DenOptix storage phosphor plates may require time intervals of as little as 5 seconds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sérgio Lúcio Pereira de Castro
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Adriana Dibo da
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: Rívea Inês
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Frab Norberto
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Bóscolo
authors.forename: Solange Maria de
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008027:Light; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D011858:Radiographic Magnification / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens