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ePaper created 2015-03-06, 09:14:48 | version 1.33.01
technology _ dental radiography I 4-bitewing series is ready for viewing in less than 30 seconds, and a full mouth series within 2 min- utes. The unit automatically erases all the data on each wireless sensor, readying it for the next radiograph. _Image enhancement Digital radiographs have higher resolution thanconventionalfilm,andarethusclearerand more accurately diagnostic. The ScanX soft- ware has additional image enhancement tools that allow dentist to manipulate the acquired raw images (brightness, contrast, false colour, reversal) for additional analytic data without re-exposing the patient to additional radiation. These investigative tools are very valuable in pinpointing issues more specifically and far earlier than ever before. The software is intuitive and easy to use. Viewing digital images on a screen has signifi- cantlyimprovedboththewaythatpractitionersdi- agnose their patients and the means whereby they develop simple and extensive treatment planning. The size of the monitor offers on-screen co-diag- nosis and co-treatment planning that actively in- volve the patient in the dental treatment process. _Data storage Thepractice’sradiographicdataisideallystored in a single location on the office server computer from where it is readily accessible to all the opera- tory.Sinceradiographicimagefilesareratherlarge (and compression may cause the loss of important details), it is important to dedicate adequate stor- age space that can accumulate at least 3 years’ worth of data. Cephalometric and panorex images areparticularlyspaceconsuming.Off-siteandmul- tiple location backups are good safe-computing practices that eliminate the unlikely, but poten- tially disastrous results of fire, flood, or a total irreversible failure of the storage drive. _Conclusion Digital dental radiography is faster, cleaner, more effective and better than silver-based film. More than 99 per cent of dentists who use digital radiography recognize that it was a good invest- ment. The obvious advantages include: immediacy oftheimages,decreasedradiationexposure,image enhancement, digital storage, and the elimination ofchemicals.Themainstreamacceptanceofdigital radiography has been slowed by high start-up costs, however. Some of the earlier objections such as rigidity and bulkiness of sensors, sensor cord damage,andongoingmaintenanceandrepairhave beeneliminatedbythePSPwirelessdigitalsensors. While the initial costs of conversion to digital radiography may be high at first, the long-and short-term clinical and financial benefits of digital radiography are well worth the investment._ Fig. 11_ScanX wireless digital sensors are placed in the small footprint scanning unit, ScanX Swift. I 43cosmeticdentistry 1_2015 DrGeorgeFreedmanisafounder and past president of the Ameri- canAcademyofCosmeticDentis- try, a co-founder of the Canadian Academy for Aesthetic Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. His most recent textbook, “Contem- poraryAesthetic Dentistry”is published by Elsevier. Dr Freedman is the author or co-author of 12 text- books, more than 700 dental articles, and numerous webinarsandCDsandisaTeamMemberofREALITY. Dr Freedman was recently awarded the Irwin Smigel Prize inAesthetic Dentistry presented by NYU College of Dentistry. He lectures internationally on dental aesthetics, adhesion, desensitization, composites, impression materials and porcelain veneers. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Dr Freedman is a Regent and Fellow of the International Academy for Dental Facial Aesthetics and maintains a private practice limited to Aesthetic Dentistry in Toronto,Canada. epdot@rogers.com _about the author cosmeticdentistry Fig. 11 CDE0115_40-43_Freedman 26.02.15 10:39 Seite 4 CDE0115_40-43_Freedman 26.02.1510:39 Seite 4