Digital Radiography – Panoramic

George Freedman, DDS
Digital and conventional radiography are virtually identical. The main difference: a digital sensor replaces the analog silver-halide film to record tissue density data. Since digital media are far more sensitive than analog films, the patient is exposed to significantly less radiation to obtain the required diagnostic information.
There are 2 major sensor categories, wired and wireless. The software associated with the sensor interprets the collected data and converts it into a monitor image. A variety of diagnostic measurements and analyses are available on-screen to evaluate the relative density of the teeth and surrounding structures. Potential areas for concern, such as decay (incipient, invisible, or hidden), bone loss, or periapical infection can be readily diagnosed.
The digital panoramic offers far more diagnostic features than its conventional analog counterpart, including virtually instant image retrieval, greater image resolution, image manipulation, transmission capability, on-line consultation, and more. Investigative analysis is so improved that most dentists are in the process of going digital.
Digital pans are particularly suited to co-assessment and codiagnosis together by patient and doctor. Digital images are larger on the monitor, and have better contrast and clearer visibility of caries, periapical lesions, bone height, and disease. The entire upper and lower arches (and more) can be seen within a single image.
The digital panoramic (and cephalometric) office eliminates film, chemical, and waste disposal costs, and the darkroom is no longer required. Highly convenient digital images, whether acquired with wired or wireless sensors, are virtually instantaneous, accurate, diagnostically comprehensive, and always available at the touch of a button.

Carestream Dental

You can discover the simplicity of compact panoramic imaging with the CS 8100, the sophisticated system that features Carestream’s most advanced imaging technology in one sleek and elegant unit. Perfect for everyday panoramic needs, it delivers high-quality digital results and provides outstanding value for your money—giving you all the tools you need to improve your workflow and provide the very best patient care. For more information, call (800) 944-6365 or visit the Web site carestreamdental.com.

ImageWorks

The Panoura 18S is a 3-in-1 machine that uses a 16-bit cadmium telluride sensor for exceptional image quality. It features an autofocus function to best display a patient’s teeth without anterior blurring or spinal cord overlap and autocontrast so images are not over- or underexposed. The cone beam option has 2 fields of view for full-arch or half-arch imaging. The user has the option to select either FOV at the time of scanning a patient. For more information, call (914) 592-6100 or visit imageworkscorporation.com.

Instrumentarium Dental

The ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP300 is available as a pan or pan/ceph and as a 2-D only or with cone beam capabilities, and it is upgradeable to any option at any time, while representing maximum imaging flexibility. The 2-D-only units integrate to the office Ethernet network through the included TWAIN, while 3-D models include the reconstruction and image capture computer. The multilayer panoramic feature creates 5 focal troughs with one pass to maximize the likelihood of capturing the perfect patient image. For more information, call (800) 558-6120 or visit instrumentariumdental.com/usa.

J. Morita USA

Veraview IC5 HD offers high speed, exceptional clarity, and low dose. The 10-second panoramic scan captures a high-resolution image with a 25% reduction in pixel size for detailed evaluations. Additionally, the unit features a 5.5-second panoramic for a quick examination. Digital direct auto-exposure automatically sets kV and mA and provides continuous, real-time adjustment of the parameters throughout the pass to compensate for varying densities. The result is exceptional clarity and contrast. This unit is also compact and lightweight, with fully automatic, simplified operation. For more information, call (877) JMORITA (566-7482).

Belmont Equipment

Bel-Cypher is a user-friendly digital panoramic x-ray system that features bitewing imaging capability as well as diagnostic panoramic and TMJ imaging capabilities. It utilizes a high-frequency inverter and has a small focal spot to produce crisp, clear images. Each x-ray system is TWAIN-compliant and will interface with most practice management software. Its unsurpassed 5-year warranty is standard. For more information, call (800) 223-1192 or visit belmontequip.com.

MyRay/Cefla Dental

With the innovative Hyperion X7, users not only benefit from the most intuitive pan and ceph scan process but also from MyRay’s small-field VT plug-in. You can explore a 4- x 4- x 10-cm area in transversal slices to survey bone availability and accurately plan single implant sites. Comfort, efficiency, and user-friendliness make this intelligent extraoral radiography machine an instant winner for any dental practice. It applies utmost sophisticated kinematics to accurately follow patients’ complex morphology for constant image magnification. For more information, call (800) 416-3078 or visit myrayamerica.com.

SOREDEX

The CRANEX 3D is available as a pan or pan/ceph and as a 2-D only or with cone beam capabilities, and it is upgradeable to any option at any time, which gives it one of the best values in 2-D/3-D imaging. The 2-D-only units integrate to the office Ethernet network through the included TWAIN, while 3-D models include the reconstruction and image capture computer. The automatic exposure setting establishes the x-ray energy for a given shot based on the anatomy of the patient’s head. For more information, call (800) 558-6120 or visit the Web site soredex.com/usa.

Sirona Dental Systems

The ORTHOPHOS XG 3Dready is designed for the specialized dentist and is one of the most sophisticated digital pan/ceph imaging systems on the market today. It automatically adjusts (x-ray diaphragm and orbital curve) to each patient to ensure accurate images every time. Its intuitive Easypad with full-color touchscreen makes operating the XG 3D simple and lets you preview images directly on the screen. Patient positioning is simple and consistent due to the 3-position temple support and on-screen positioning guides.

The ORTHOPHOS XG 3 is designed for the general practice dentist and offers an outstanding price performance ratio, allowing practices an easy transition from film to direct digital imaging. It includes the benefits of high-quality panoramic and TMJ images, easy operation with the Multipad, effective 3-point patient positioning, direct network capability, and better patient communication tools at an affordable price. Centrally controlled, motorized height-adjustment and forehead and temple supports make patient positioning easy and stable.

The ORTHOPHOS XG 5 is a direct digital, high-quality panoramic x-ray unit designed for the general dentist, featuring 12 panoramic programs and additional programs with the ceph configuration (standard or optional upgrade). Patient positioning is simple and consistent due to the 3-point patient positioning and only 2 positioning lasers for simplicity and accuracy. The Multipad makes operation simple with intuitive icons and simplified program selection. The XG 5 is ready for ceph upgrades for future flexibility and now comes standard with 2 new bite-wing programs.

For more information, call (800) 659-5977 or visit sirona.com.

Panoramic

The PC-4000 was designed and engineered on the award-winning PC-1000 platform, known for its value and field longevity. It features advanced yet proven cadmium telluride technology to minimize light distortion by directly converting x-ray energy into electronic digital output, yielding a sharp, clear image. Sleek design and touchpad controls with LED display offer self-guiding menu functions for easy patient positioning. For more information, call (800) 654-2027.

PLANMECA USA

ProMax S3 pan/ceph with pat-ented SCARA technology has a versatile design that delivers an unprecedented level of flexibility and control to users. Designed with features that limit radiation, ProMax provides all the necessary tools for safe, confident planning of treatments. All units also in­clude Romexis open-architecture software for image processing and viewing as well as a unique ability to work with current Mac OS or Windows imaging platforms. For more information, call (855) 245-2908 or visit the Web site located at planmecausa.com.

Vatech America

The PaX-i is an all-in-one pan­oramic system. Panoramic and cephalometric images are su­perb due to the 100-µm high-resolution CMOS sensor. In addition, postprocessing, such as the metal artifact reduction function, combined with the autofocusing function, en­sures im­ages have perfect clinical acuity and clarity, time after time. Fea­turing bite-wing, TMJ, sinus, and high-definition modes, this versatile ma­chine is on the leading edge of technology. For more information, call (888) 396-6872.

Gendex Dental Systems

The Gendex GXDP-300 incorporates the features you are looking for, including (1) the most commonly used imaging modes, (2) a simple, 3-step pro­cess, and (3) a sleek, compact body design that’s built for long life. With the GXDP-300 digital panoramic system, you get exactly what your practice needs for diagnostic efficiency and improved office productivity. For more in­formation, call (800) 323-8029 or visit gendex.com.