Clinical Validity of Panoramic Radiographs with Digora PCT^®

Abstract

The quality of panoramic radiographs with a digital imaging system, Digora PCT^®, was compared with that of a Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) system. The exposure settings that would produce the appropriate density for observation of the images were determined. The images of the Digora PCT and the FCR system were observed on a 17-inch CRT monitor and printed films respectively. Thirty images of patients were obtained with each system. Six oral radiologists observed the images and evaluated the visibility of pathologic conditions based on (1) outline of mandible, (2) mandibular canal and bone trabecula, (3) shape of the tooth and periodontal hard tissue of the mandible, (4) shape of the tooth and periodontal hard tissue of the maxilla, and (5) outline of the bony structure of the maxillary sinus, using the following three categories: good, fair, and unacceptable. The images of each system were evaluated separately at an interval of 3 months. Mann-Whitney test with p = 0.05 was used to analyze differences between the two systems.
There were no images of either system rated as “unacceptable”. The visibility of the shape of the tooth, periodontal hard tissue, and the outline of the bony structure of the maxillary sinus with the Digora PCT was inferior to that with the FCR system. However, it can be concluded that the image quality of the Digora PCT is adequate for dental purposes because there were no unacceptable images.