Digital Radiology System (DR) FAQs

Digital Radiography is an advanced form of x-ray inspection which produces a digital radiographic image instantly on a computer. It uses x-ray sensitive plates to capture data during object examination, which is immediately transferred to a computer without the use of an intermediate cassette and reader.

Digital Radiography uses flat panel detectors based on direct or indirect conversion of X-rays to charge, which is then processed to produce a digital image. Computed Radiography use photo-stimulated luminescence screens to capture the X-ray image, instead of traditional X-ray film. CR cassette goes into a reader to convert the data into a digital image.

Digital Radiography offers many advantages including:

1. Shorter exposure times resulting in a decrease in radiation exposure
2. Lower overall cost due to no chemical processing and no multiple storage options needed.
3. Use of analysis tool and defect recognition software
4. Improve detail detectability which produce high image quality

1. Workflow
2. Durability
3. Image Quality

CR systems are fairly reliable, but their mechanical systems are very sensitive to contamination especially in a veterinary practice.

The most common and costly item to replace is the PSP plate that the CR system uses to capture the x-ray flux. These plates have a short or limited lifespan and are especially sensitive to contamination from animal hair, meaning their lifespan is even shorter for veterinarians. Replacement plates cost roughly $1,000 to $5,000 each depending on the size and model. CR systems also rely on a plate reader that moves a scanning laser across the PSP plate. Precision is very important to accurate image collection and clogging of the reader is a common cause for service calls.

DR systems have no moving parts other than a cooling fan, which rarely comes into contact with patient or user. DR systems do rely heavily on a computer. Like all computers, data should be backed up regularly to avoid data loss.

In general, DR systems offer greater bit of depth, digitizing the image at 14 bits (16,384 shades of grey) or more. CR is often limited to 10 bits (1,024 shades of grey).

Digital images shown on many comparisons may appear to be excellent, but the dose used to create the image should be considered. In many cases the dose is outside of normal levels. In an image quality comparison by an independent reporting service, the DR receptor had one of the lowest dose requirements in the industry. With the DR, you do not need an excessive dose to obtain a quality image.

There are two types of digital imaging systems used in intraoral radiography which is computed radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR). Digital imaging requires an x-ray unit, sensors to capture the images, computer software and hardware to view, store and transfer images, an a scanning device, if an indirect digital system.

No, a darkroom is not required if you choose to set up a Digital Radiography System in your clinics or hospitals. By using a Digital Radiography System, images can be printed by using thermal printers or laser, which will produce good quality images on specialized films without chemical processing.