title: Comparison of the performance of intraoral X-ray sensors using objective image quality assessment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of 10 individual sensors of the same make, using objective measures of key image quality parameters. A further aim was to compare 8 brands of sensors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten new sensors of 8 different models from 6 manufacturers (i.e., 80 sensors) were included in the study. All sensors were exposed in a standardized way using an X-ray tube voltage of 60 kVp and different exposure times. Sensor response, noise, low-contrast resolution, spatial resolution and uniformity were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individual differences between sensors of the same brand were surprisingly large in some cases. There were clear differences in the characteristics of the different brands of sensors. The largest variations were found for individual sensor response for some of the brands studied. Also, noise level and low contrast resolution showed large variations between brands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sensors, even of the same brand, vary significantly in their quality. It is thus valuable to establish action levels for the acceptance of newly delivered sensors and to use objective image quality control for commissioning purposes and periodic checks to ensure high performance of individual digital sensors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden. Electronic address: Kristina.Hellen-Halme@mah.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hellén-Halme
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012984:Software; D014965:X-Rays