IADR Abstract Archives
Comparison of Radiographic Errors Between PSP Plates and Digital Sensors
Objectives: Two widely used imaging systems in digital intraoral radiography are photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates and digital sensors. The aim of the study is to compare the number and causes of radiographic retakes and overall user experience for each system.
Methods: Complete Mouth Series (CMS) taken by fourth year dental students of classes 2016 and 2017 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry were captured using either PSP plates or digital sensors. A total of 340 CMS (PSP=256, sensors=84) were reviewed (IRB #: 439-17-EP) to calculate the average number of retaken images per CMS for each system, along with the most common locations that required retakes and the reasons for them. Additionally, a survey was taken by the class of 2017 to assess the students’ perceptions of each system.
Results: Use of PSP plates resulted in significantly fewer retakes with an average of 1.66±1.83 retakes per CMS, versus 3.1±2.77 retakes with use of digital sensors (p<0.001). The two most common causes for PSP plate retakes were incomplete capture of the most distal tooth (28.92%) and missing distal half of the canine (17.66%), while digital sensors were missed root apices (33.81%) and incomplete capture of the most distal tooth (32.74%). Retakes were most commonly taken in the mandibular molar region for both PSP plates (27%) and digital sensors (24%). Survey results indicated that 82.93% of students would select digital sensors for their future practice, 17.07% would choose both systems, and no students selected only PSP plates.
Conclusions:
PSP plates require less image retakes on average than do digital sensors, likely due to their more favorable physical characteristics. However, most students indicated a preference for digital sensors due to superior time efficiency and immediate viewing capability.
Methods: Complete Mouth Series (CMS) taken by fourth year dental students of classes 2016 and 2017 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry were captured using either PSP plates or digital sensors. A total of 340 CMS (PSP=256, sensors=84) were reviewed (IRB #: 439-17-EP) to calculate the average number of retaken images per CMS for each system, along with the most common locations that required retakes and the reasons for them. Additionally, a survey was taken by the class of 2017 to assess the students’ perceptions of each system.
Results: Use of PSP plates resulted in significantly fewer retakes with an average of 1.66±1.83 retakes per CMS, versus 3.1±2.77 retakes with use of digital sensors (p<0.001). The two most common causes for PSP plate retakes were incomplete capture of the most distal tooth (28.92%) and missing distal half of the canine (17.66%), while digital sensors were missed root apices (33.81%) and incomplete capture of the most distal tooth (32.74%). Retakes were most commonly taken in the mandibular molar region for both PSP plates (27%) and digital sensors (24%). Survey results indicated that 82.93% of students would select digital sensors for their future practice, 17.07% would choose both systems, and no students selected only PSP plates.
Conclusions:
PSP plates require less image retakes on average than do digital sensors, likely due to their more favorable physical characteristics. However, most students indicated a preference for digital sensors due to superior time efficiency and immediate viewing capability.