Image quality in partially erased DenOptix storage phosphor plates.
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.
Lopes
Sérgio Lúcio Pereira de Castro
SL
Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Cruz
Adriana Dibo da
AD
Ferreira
Rívea Inês
RI
Bóscolo
Frab Norberto
FN
Almeida
Solange Maria de
SM
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