What to look for in a digital imaging solution
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The document discusses the advancements in digital imaging technology in dentistry, highlighting benefits such as improved diagnostic accuracy, patient convenience, and ease of treatment planning. It features specific products like Acteon's x-mind unity and trium units, emphasizing their image quality, reduced radiation exposure, and user-friendly software for effective patient management. The document recommends investing in compatible systems from established suppliers to streamline training and maintenance.
What to look for in a digital imaging solution
- 1. 122 Australasian Dental Practice July/August 2018 D igital imaging has revo- lutionised the ability to quickly and accurately diagnose underlying symptoms and provide far greater confidence in treatment planning. Modern x-ray, OPG and CBCT units, digital sensors and phosphor plate units mean effective diagnosis can be conducted in-house, saving time and greatly enhancing patient convenience. The benefits of digital imaging devices including x-ray units and even intraoral cameras are a valuable patient educa- tion tool and have been shown to greatly increase case acceptance. Where to start As with most things, it’s wise to invest in a quality suite of products that are easy to integrate on a common software platform and it is also a good idea to buy from an established company with local tech- nical service backup and easy access to spare parts. Purchasing compatible components from one supplier ensures no integra- tion issues, simplifies training and maintenance so any issues are dealt with quickly with no buck-passing or finger pointing between different suppliers. Image quality The top of the list for anyone con- templating purchasing digital imaging products is image quality using the latest technology such as CMOS digital sensors and Automatic Controlled Exposure (ACE), which ensures sharp radiographic images. Look for a small focal spot with x-ray generators and a fine pixel size and voxel count for Panoramic and CBCT units respectively. X-rays French company, Acteon, available in Australia through A-dec, developed the award-winning X-Mind Unity x-ray with inbuilt Sopix2 sensor thatautomaticallyadjustsradiation depending on patient morphology. This ensures consistent image quality, no over-exposed images, prolonged sensor life and reduced radiation exposure. Acteon’s X-Mind x-ray gener- ator, when used with the Sopix2 sensor, results in up to 50% lower radiation emissions giving better results and greater peace-of-mind for patients. Automatic Controlled Exposure (ACE), built-in filters and user preferences such as contrast settings that are automatically saved, ensure all images are processed uniformly to reveal the required detail in either hard or soft tissue without dis- tracting artefacts caused by metals and other filling materials. Phosphor plates Acteon makes high quality digital imaging affordable and practical with the world’s smallest and quickest per- sonal phosphor plate scanner, the PSPIX, which uses fibre to pixel technology for superior image quality. This compact unit with its in-built touchpad is the fastest and most com- pact phosphor plate scanner available, processing images in just 12 seconds and being fully networkable throughout the practice on either Mac or PC. The small phosphor plates are more comfortable for smaller and younger patients and the streamlined designed and automatic loading function make it easy to keep clean. What to look for in a digital imaging solution digital | IMAGING Figures 1 and 2. Acteon X-Mind Trium 3D CBCT with Cephalometic arm and resultant image.
- 2. 124 Australasian Dental Practice July/August 2018 PSPIX is the only scanner that offers optional removable parts that can be steri- lised in an autoclave, offering maximum protection and simplicity in maintaining infection control. Digital sensors For real time information to assist in endodontic treatments and implant placement, the Sopix2 digital intraoral sensor is unbeatable in image quality and immediate access to images, making it the choice of many specialists. The X-Mind Unity comes with Sopix2 built in so there are no messy cords to worry about. Affordable CBCT For more advanced diagnosis, many practices are now opting for Pano- ramic and CBCT units as an adjunct to conventional x-rays. The Acteon X-Mind Trium extraoral unit combines superior image quality available as a base panoramic unit with the ability to add CBCT, 3D and full cephalometric capabilities at a later time as practice needs grow. X-Mind Trium set new benchmarks in image quality, yielding detail as fine as 75-100 microns, together with a pow- erful, but easy to use Acteon Imaging Suite (AIS) software. AIS makes it easy to view, import and export, manipulate and store images in patient management soft- ware or other third party programs. The X-Mind Trium has a simple to use icon-based keypad and is the smallest ceph arm unit currently available, making it easy to install in any practice with minimal training. 3D view shows hidden detail X-Mind Trium’s 3-dimensional capa- bility effectively allows dentists to identify critical anatomical structures such as the inferior alveolar nerve, which may be obscured by molar roots on conven- tional 2D x-ray or panoramic images. Ease of use All of Acteon’s digital imaging devices have simple icon-based touchpads and use AIS software which has an intui- tive mouse driven interface which allows quick and easy access to images, plus powerful in-built tools depending on the application. AIS 2D and 3D software includes implant-planning tools with implant library, bone density measurement, angle and volumetric calculations for implant placement and sinus lift surgery and full reporting to guide your surgery. It also allows the importation of images from optical scanners or implant databases in STL format. The full range of Acteon digital imaging equipment, together with installation and training are available from your local A-dec dealer in partnership with Acteon in Australia. For more info, contact A-dec Australia on 1800-225-010 or see acteongroup.com. digital | IMAGING Figure 3. Acteon’s PSPIX2 personal imaging plate scanner brings the easy handling and placement of film into the digital age. Figures 4-7. Actual X-Mind Trium images showing detail and biometric measurements.