Digital Panoramic radiographs

The new generation of machines have the highest resolution ever and rival periapicals. New paths and computerized controls give almost no distortion and the operator can choose areas of focus to give even better clarity. As the sensors have improved, the pixel size has shrunken leading to a crisp image. The newer models are built to accept upgrades which will allow 3D transversal slices, leading to even better diagnosis for implant placement and location of impacted teeth and lesions. These units can cost over $40,000 so the ROI might take some time, but they are a necessity for offices looking at surgery or developmental studies. Digital software can enhance the clarity and help with diagnosis, so it is important to look at that aspect when making this office decision.

A few companies make retrofits to convert an older unit to digital apparently saving thousands of dollars. There are also phosphor plate solutions to replace the film. These will in fact give a digital image allowing all of the benefits of paperless charts and information sharing, with images slightly better than the films. Some software trickery allows enhancements to the images, however, they use the same xray generator and manual paths of the original unit. If the panoramic unit is very old, you are faced with a problem analogous with replacing your automobile’s engine rather than purchasing a new vehicle. Look at the specifications and images and compare them to the new digital images to be sure this is the solution you are looking for.

The digital panoramic is not to be confused with the more costly 3D tomography units which are essentially in house CT scanners for the teeth and jaws. Some units now have upgrades from digital to tomography.

Sirona Orthophos. Orthophos DS

Orthophos has a couple of versions all of which supply extraordinary images. The “plus” is upgradeable to tomography.

Planmeca Dimax2, Promax

Promax is a high quality workhorse which will have a tomography upgrade available in early 2006

Kodak 8000

Gendex Ortoralix 9000, 9200 DDE

Schick CDR Pan

The new digital pan has gotten great reviews from users. Seamless integration with other Shick products

GE Healthcare ( Soredex???) Cranex Excel D, OC100-D

Note- GE has changed coporate structure- I am not sure what the branding is.

Morita Veraviewepocs

Instrumentarium OP100-D OC100-D

Another undefined corporate change.

Sigma Biomedics DXIS

A digital retrofit to existing panoramic machines

SUNIpan

A digital Retrofit to existing panoramic machines