2000 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 30-34
Digital radiographic systems have recently been introduced in dental practice. These systems are used with a CRT for diagnosis. But printed images may be used as reference images. The purpose of this study is to identify whether an image by the printer generally used was suitable as a reference image. A PM-770C (EPSON) was used as a printer for the digital panoramic radiography (Digipan®). Panoramic radiographs of 17 volunteers, whose consent was obtained for this research, were obtained. Three oral radiologists evaluated them on CRT and printed images independently. Interested structures in panoramic radiograms were divided as follows : 1) contour of mandible, 2) mandibular canal and bone trabecle, 3) shape of the tooth and periodontal tissue of the mandible, 4) shape of the tooth and periodontal tissue of the maxilla, 5) bony structure of maxillary sinus. Each structure was ranked on a 5-point scale. The results of each item on a CRT image are 1.26, 1.88, 1.45, 1.62, and 1.45. Those of printed images are 1.18, 1.84, 1.75, 2.20, and 1.96. The results were not good only on the shape of the tooth and on the periodontal tissue of maxilla, suggesting that a printed image could be used as a reference image.
