title: Comparison of technique errors of intraoral radiographs taken on film v photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to compare the technical errors of intraoral radiographs exposed on film v photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intraoral radiographic images exposed on phantoms from preclinical practical exams of dental and dental hygiene students were used. Each exam consisted of 10 designated periapical and bitewing views. A total of 107 film sets and 122 PSP sets were evaluated for technique errors, including placement, elongation, foreshortening, overlapping, cone cut, receptor bending, density, mounting, dot in apical area, and others. Some errors were further subcategorized as minor, major, or remake depending on the severity. The percentages of radiographs with various errors were compared between film and PSP by the Fisher's Exact Test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with film, there was significantly less PSP foreshortening, elongation, and bending errors, but significantly more placement and overlapping errors. Using a wrong sized receptor due to the similarity of the color of the package sleeves is a unique PSP error.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimum image quality is attainable with PSP plates as well as film. When switching from film to a PSP digital environment, more emphasis is necessary for placing the PSP plates, especially those with excessive packet edge, and then correcting the corresponding angulation for the beam alignment. Better design for improving intraoral visibility and easy identification of different sized PSP will improve the clinician's technical performance with this receptor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston (UTSD), Houston, Texas 77030, USA. wenjian.zhang@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Wenjian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Carolyn P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Huynh
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abramovitch
authors.forename: Inga-Lill K
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Leon
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Arvizu
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013335:Students, Dental; D014962:X-Ray Film; D014963:X-Ray Intensifying Screens