A comparison of 18 different x-ray detectors currently used in dentistry.

Purpose: There has been a proliferation of available dental x-ray detectors over the recent past. The purpose of this short technical report is to provide a basic comparison of spatial resolution, contrast perceptibility, and relative exposure latitudes of 18 current dental x-ray detectors, including solid-state systems (CCD and CMOS), photostimulable phosphors, and analog film.

Methods: Spatial resolution was measured using a 0.025 mm Pb phantom test grid with a measurement range from 1.5 to 20 lp/mm. For contrast perceptibility, a 7-mm thick aluminum perceptibility test device with wells of 0.1-0.9 mm depth at 0.1 mm intervals and 1 defect of 1.5 mm was used. The relative exposure latitude was determined by expert consensus using clear discrimination of the enamel-dentin junction as the lower limit and pixel blooming or unacceptable levels of cervical burnout as the upper limit.

Results: The highest spatial resolution was found with Kodak InSight film, RVG-ui (CCD), and RVG 6000 (CMOS) detectors, each of which achieved 20 lp/mm, followed by the Planmeca Dixi2 v3 at > or =16 lp/mm. Contrast resolution was at least to 0.2 mm through 7 mm aluminum for all 18 detectors, with the best results being found for the Visualix HDI, RVG-ui, RVG 5000, and RVG 6000 detectors and the Schick CDR wired and wireless systems. The greatest exposure ranges were found with photostimulable phosphors and the Kodak RVG 6000 and RVG 5000 detectors.

Conclusions: Most current x-ray detectors generally perform well in terms of spatial and contrast resolutions, and in terms of exposure latitude. These findings were independent of the modality applied.