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Use of the direct magnification technique in dental radiology
M G Wichmann1, A I von Brenndorff
1Department of Prosthodontics, Medical University, Hannover, Germany.
Objective:
To investigate the potential use of the direct magnification (DIMA) technique in dental radiology.
Methods:
Radiographs of anatomical specimens and extracted teeth were prepared under clinical conditions using a microfocus (8 and 16 microns focal diameter) X-ray tube. Entrance dose was measured using an ionization chamber. Image quality was assessed in a single-blind test of pairs of images of extracted teeth with and without caries by ten observers.
Results:
At 7.3 x magnification the values for exposure time and entrance dose were comparable with those for conventional intraoral radiography, 0.1 and 0.25 s and 1.5 and 2.9 mSv respectively. Diagnostic accuracy using the DIMA images was significantly (P < 0.0001) better compared with dental radiographs.
Conclusion:
DIMA images with significantly enhanced diagnostic accuracy can be obtained at comparable exposure times and entrance doses to conventional intraoral radiographs.