Digital Dental Radiography Review: The DEXIS Digital Diagnostic System

Here's an article by Andrew W. Chin, DDS about digital radiography.

The DEXIS Digital Diagnostic System
By Andrew W. Chin, DDS

Digital radiography is not new to dentistry. It has been in use for over 10 years, and is only becoming more popular and mainstream. There are many companies to choose from. I believe that the DEXIS system is one of the better digital radiography systems on the market today. In general, all digital radiographic systems will reduce the radiation exposure to your patients by about 30-40%. They also reduce the chemicals and raw material waste that go along with traditional radiographs. The quality of digital radiography was always the question, as with traditional photography and digital photography. However, as with digital photographs, digital radiography is getting better (if not surpassing) the traditional films, as our technology improves.

The DEXIS Digital Diagnostic system has been on the market since nearly the beginning of digital radiography. In those years it became the first company to have its digital radiography system receive the American Dental Association Seal of Approval when it was admitted into the ADA Acceptance Program. Recently, DEXIS received the Reality Magazines five-star award for outstanding quality in a digital radiography system. These awards only confirm what I have known through the years working with the system.

The DEXIS hardware is very unique. Most other systems have multiple-sized sensors. The DEXIS system has only one size and the corners are rounded for comfort. Although it is one of the thicker sensors on the market, the rounded corners, which other systems do not have, make a significant difference in patient comfort. Many gaggers have even said that the sensors are much more comfortable and create less of a gag reflex. The sensor and its hardware are easily transferred to adjacent rooms and computers. If your operatories are not networked, the unit can be used on a laptop. The sensor is the weakness of all digital radiograph systems due to its mobility and small fragile size. DEXIS is no different in this respect.

The sensor costs around $6,000 to replace, and about half that if you buy the insurance program and software support. This will run you a yearly fee of about $1,300-$1,800. You can weigh the costs and benefits of not buying the maintenance program. Regardless of what you choose, your assistants will need to treat the sensor with great care.

The entire office will go through a training program provided by the company. The learning curve is fairly fast and not too complex, especially if you are familiar with computers. The DEXIS radiographic system has some excellent clinical features that will improve your clinical diagnosis and efficiency. The actual radiograph will be instantaneous after the radiation has been detected. This image can then be enlarged to fill your monitor, magnified at specific areas, or the resolution can be adjusted at the click of a mouse. There are many other bells and whistles that I do not use, but the most useful feature is something they called ClearVu. This feature will greatly enhance your clinical diagnosis and be more accurate in finding decay or other pathology. Lastly, the DEXIS system has very convenient measuring tools for your endodontic and implant procedures. With so many features, the DEXIS system will help educate your patients and you will see your treatment plans increase in acceptance.

Cost will always be a factor in these types of high tech equipment. The entire system will run over $10,000, and don’t forget those yearly maintenance costs. The DEXIS system will have other costs in bridging software if you want/need to integrate it with your practice management software. I have integrated it with mine and have had no complications. Even with these costs the system will save you time and will make you much more efficient. Ultimately you will produce more because of the increased efficiency and the ease of presenting your treatment plan by educating patients with the DEXIS system.

DEXIS is the most highly awarded digital X-ray system, well-known for unique features like "One-Click FMS” and ClearVU™ image enhancement. The new DEXIS Platinum Sensor with PureImage™ technology has three distinct advantages:

1. A smart design that places the electronics on the sensor’s back so the active imaging area is almost 100% of the total sensor size.
2. An advanced ergonomic design featuring four rounded corners, a slim profile, and a seamless casing, allowing precise sensor placement while assuring optimal patient comfort.
3. A patented cord placement that allows for vertical AND horizontal bitewings and all peripherals with a single sensor, thus eliminating the cost and inconvenience of multiple sensors of different sizes.

DEXIS features a direct USB connection, with no controllers or docking stations. DEXIS also offers easy integration with practice management programs, digital pan systems, cameras, and scanners allowing the clinician to capture, store, and access all X-ray and camera images through one convenient Imaging Hub.

For more information about DEXIS product check here

Article Source: http://www.dentalcompare.com/review.asp?rid=10

Dental Digital Radiography News: Vetel Diagnostics Introduces Envision Dental™ Diagnostic Imaging Tools

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 27, 2010 – Vetel Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic imaging tools to veterinarians, introduces ENVISION DENTAL™, a new line of dental digital radiography (DR) products: the AnyRay handheld dental DR generator, the EZ Sensor line of dental DR detectors, and the new Metron dental software featuring an interactive positioning guide. They are designed to make dental imaging easier and to increase the veterinarian’s opportunities to deliver dental services.

An estimated 80% of canine and feline populations have some type of treatable dental pathology. Despite the prevalence of periodontal disease, however, many practices face challenges in delivering even routine dental services. The time and expertise required using traditional radiography presents a significant obstacle during the average appointment. Recognizing the disadvantages this creates for both patient care and practice profitability, Vetel Diagnostic’s pursued imaging solutions to address both.

Dr. James K. Waldsmith, President of Vetel explained: “These tools represent a huge leap forward in providing the dental diagnostics that lead to treatment opportunities in daily practice.” As more practices transition to digital imaging, opportunities represented by dental services continue to gain the recognition they deserve. Developing a product line based on superior quality and ease of use is at the core of Vetel Diagnostic’s philosophy. Metron’s ability to integrate dental radiographs alongside other diagnostic images places more complete patient information at the practitioner’s fingertips.

“First and foremost we looked for products that delivered quality imaging”, said Dr. Waldsmith, “but we also understood that positioning tools, ease of use and workflow efficiency have equal importance if the practitioner is to utilize them on a regular basis. Drawing an owner’s attention to their pets’ bad breath begins the conversation but without fast, high quality dental radiographs to provide the diagnoses, client education and dental services are far more difficult to provide. Access to the proper imaging tools substantially increases those diagnostic opportunities. We chose products according to their suitability for superior patient care and practice productivity.”

Vetel Diagnostic’s ENVISION DENTAL™ was created to meet the specific needs of veterinary practice. EZ Sensors were designed with an emphasis on patient comfort; the AnyRay generator affords complete portability and Metron’s dental software provides technician assistance and client education.

Source: PRlog.org