Comparison of three digital radiographic imaging systems for the visibility of endodontic files

Park, Jong Won; Kim, Eun Kyung; Han, Won Jeong

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare three digital radiographic imaging sensors by evaluating the visibility of endodontic file tips with interobserver reproducibility and assessing subjectively the clarity of images in comparison with the x-ray film images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five extracted sound premolars were used for this study. Fifteen plaster blocks were made with three premolars each and #8, 10, 15 K-flexofiles were inserted into the root canal of premolars. They were radiographically exposed using periapical x-ray films (Kodak Insight Dental film, Eastmann Kodak company, Rochester, USA), Digora imaging plates (Soredex-Orion Co., Helsinki, Finland), CDX 2000HQ sensors (Biomedisys Co., Seoul, Korea), and CDR sensors (Schick Inc., Long Island, USA). The visibility of endodontic files was evaluated with interobserver reproducibility, which was calculated as the standard deviations of X, Y coordinates of endodontic file tips measured on digital images by three oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The clarity of images was assessed subjectively using 3 grades, i.e. plus, equal, and minus in comparison with the conventional x-ray film images. RESULTS: Interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tips was the highest in CDR sensor (p< 0.05) only except at Y coordinates of #15 file. In the subjective assessment of the image clarity, the plus grade was the most frequent in CDR sensor at all size of endodontic file (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: CDR sensor was the most superior to the other sensors, CDX 2000HQ sensor and Digora imaging plate in the evaluation of interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tip and subjective assessment of image clarity.