An evaluation of the Sens-A-Ray digital dental imaging system

The Sens-A-Ray digital imaging system was compared with group D- and E-speed intraoral radiographic film with respect to resolution, speed and image quality. Using a line-pair plate, resolution was determined to be 10 line-pairs per millimetre. With a constant potential X-ray source, the speed of the system was over three times that of E-speed emulsion and the response of pixel value to exposure was linear. Absorption curves with aluminium showed a similar response to D-speed film. An aluminium foil test object was used to compare the Sens-A-Ray system with both film types. Thirty observers were scored for successful identification of a pattern of holes in the test object. There was little difference between D- and E-speed film groups, and successful identification was significantly reduced with the Sens-A-Ray images when compared with D- and E-speed films.