Digital Radiographic Imaging
Is the Dental Practice Ready?
Edwin T. Parks, DMD, MS, Diplomate, ABOMR
Background. Digital radiographic imaging is slowly, but surely, replacing film-based imaging. It has many advantages over traditional imaging, but the technology also has some drawbacks. The author presents an overview of the types of digital image receptors available, image enhancement software and the range of costs for the new technology.
Practice Implications. The expenses associated with converting to digital radiographic imaging are considerable. The purpose of this article is to provide the clinician with an overview of digital radiographic imaging technology so that he or she can be an informed consumer when evaluating the numerous digital systems in the marketplace.
Key Words: Digital radiography; dental radiography; image enhancement
Abbreviations: CCD: Charge-coupled device. CMOS: Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor. JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group. LZW: Lempel-Ziv-Welch. PNG: Portable Network Graphics. PSP: Photostimulable phosphor.
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