The 4C’s of Digital Radiography
As dentists continue to improve the technology systems in their practices, there are few areas that are generating as much interest as digital radiography. Unfortunately, the process of choosing the right sensor for each dentist can be an exercise in frustration. All of the systems are capable of diagnostic images, so how does an office choose? Since the process of purchasing a digital system often requires the same amount of thought as buying a diamond, I think this would make a good analogy. As many of you know, shopping for diamonds requires you to consider the “4 C’s”: carat, color, cut, and clarity. There are also “4 C’s” for choosing digital radiography: Comfort, Compatibility, Company, and of course, Cost.
Comfort
While some companies would have you believe that the thinner the sensor, the more comfortable it is, this doesn’t seem to hold true in my experience. Many of the complaints we see from patients are from using thinner sensors, while the thickest sensor on the market is often rated as the most comfortable. The edges of the sensor are something that should be evaluated, as this is what patients tend to feel. Look for rounded corners if possible, as these tend to be more comfortable than a sharp edge.
Compatibility
It is crucial for an office that is considering digital radiography to choose an image management program before they choose a sensor. Many dentists prefer to have all their images stored in the same software. Therefore, if an office is already using an image program, they will be limited to whichever system is compatible with that software. In a perfect world, it would be easy to switch to another image program if you want—but this is rarely easy.
Company
Primarily due to the growing popularity of digital radiography, there has been an explosion in the number of companies offering sensor systems, and this number is growing. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a system from a small company; the service and support is often excellent and their products are on par with any others out there. However, some companies have gone out of business in the past few years, and dentists should understand all of the risks of buying a lesser-known product. Another good sign of a company’s ability and willingness to support its products is the length of the warranty.
Cost
Finally, cost cannot be ignored. A basic single-sensor system starts around $5,000 and can be as high as $14,000. Phosphor plate systems run from about $10,000 to $20,000. Often overlooked, however, is the infrastructure needed to run these systems. Offices need to be aware of all the anticipated costs of “going digital,” as the cost of the sensors is usually less than the hardware needed to run these systems.
About the author
Lorne Lavine, DMD
President
The Digital Dentist
Burbank, California
