[The use of digital techniques with storage phosphors for orthopantomography. Preliminary note]

Digital panoramic tomographies with light-emitting phosphors were obtained in 39 patients, during a study on the clinical applications of digital imaging. Performing digital panoramic radiographies required the preliminary adaptation of the imaging plates to the cassette holder of the radiographic equipment. The digital images were post-processed according to two different protocols, both of which were recorded for each patient. The former image was quite similar to standard X-ray films and was called "analogic-like". The latter, called "xeroradiographic-like", featured a flattening of the overall contrast together with detail contrast enhancement due to the presence of an edge effect, as it occurs in xeroradiography. Digital panoramic tomography allows a marked reduction in patient's exposure to X-rays. In addition, this technique offers constant high-quality results, due to the possibility of recovering over- or under-exposed images during post-processing. Xeroradiographic-like digital films may reduce the sharp contrast that is often present between the anterior and the lateral portions of the maxillary and mandibular arches, thus improving the diagnostic reliability of the examination. Other modalities of digital post-processing may be helpful to depict gingival soft tissues, with obvious advantages for the study of periodontal diseases.