Clinical evaluation of a prototype intraoral source x-ray system

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Conventional dental radiography uses extraoral sources and specific film types.
• Evaluating novel intraoral X-ray systems is crucial for improving patient safety and diagnostic efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the performance of a prototype intraoral X-ray system.
• To compare its diagnostic capabilities against conventional dental roentgenography.
• To evaluate its potential for dose reduction and rapid image acquisition.

Main Methods:

• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a prototype system with a collimated intraoral X-ray source and extraoral film cassette.
• Comparison of incipient enamel lesion detectability with conventional extraoral source, long-cone geometry, and specific film.
• Clinical testing in endodontics and presurgical evaluation.

Main Results:

• The intraoral system demonstrated significantly lower detectability for incipient enamel lesions compared to conventional methods.
• Larger lesions were reliably detected by both techniques.
• The new system offers potential dose reduction up to 98% and 15-second positive dry print capability.

Conclusions:

• The prototype intraoral dental X-ray system offers substantial dose reduction and rapid imaging.
• Its current detectability for early enamel lesions is inferior to conventional radiography.
• Clinical utility was noted in endodontics and presurgical evaluation, with potential for improvement through modifications.