Xeroradiography for intraoral dental radiology. A process description

A novel x-ray imaging system for intraoral dental radiography is described. The imaging process is based on xeroradiographic principles. The surface of a small selenium photoreceptor is electrically charged. After insertion into a light-tight cassette, the photoreceptor is placed intraorally and x-ray exposed like film. The resultant electrostatic charge image is developed in a processor using liquid toner. The toner image is then transferred from the photoreceptor and fixed to a white plastic substrate for viewing. After cleaning, the photoreceptor is available for reuse. In contrast to film images, xeroradiographic images are exposed and processed sequentially. Processing time is approximately 20 seconds. Two image characteristics--edge enhancement and deletion--are primarily responsible for many advantageous qualities of xeroradiographic images over film images. An experimental processor was tested successfully at two dental schools.