Abstract: A quality assurance phantom for intraoral digital dental imaging and related method. The quality assurance phantom measures three different physical properties of an imaging system: dynamic range, contrast detectability, and spatial resolution. The phantom comprises a dynamic range portion having a plurality of steps, each step of the plurality of steps having a different thickness from the other steps; a contrast detail portion having a uniform thickness and a plurality of wells formed therein; a spatial resolution portion having a plurality of line sets, each line set of the plurality of line sets having different line spacing from the other line sets; an attenuating body having uniform thickness positioned between the source and the contrast detail portion and the spatial resolution portion; and a lead mass adjacent to the dynamic range portion.

Abstract: A quality assurance phantom for intraoral digital dental imaging and related method. The quality assurance phantom measures three different physical properties of an imaging system: dynamic range, contrast detectability, and spatial resolution. The phantom comprises a dynamic range portion having a plurality of steps, each step of the plurality of steps having a different thickness from the other steps; a contrast detail portion having a uniform thickness and a plurality of wells formed therein; a spatial resolution portion having a plurality of line sets, each line set of the plurality of line sets having different line spacing from the other line sets; an attenuating body having uniform thickness positioned between the source and the contrast detail portion and the spatial resolution portion; and a lead mass adjacent to the dynamic range portion.

Abstract: An improved dental x-ray aiming device for longitudinal radiographic analysis is provided. The device includes a bite block, a guiding rod, an aiming ring, and a supplemental ring. The bite block includes a film holder that is not perpendicular to a top surface of the bite block. The guiding rod is also attached to the bite block in a non-parallel relationship to accommodate the non-perpendicular arrangement of the film holder. As a result, a proper relationship is maintained between the aiming ring (and hence a dental radiography device) and the film holder. The aiming ring is attached to the guiding rod through a sliding member. The sliding member secures the aiming ring at a predetermined distance from the guiding rod, while allowing the aiming ring to move on an axis parallel with the guiding rod. The bite block includes a slot for receiving and holding a reference device for later density reference measurements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and displaying radiographs, particularly intra-oral radiographs, is presented. Radiographs are captured, digitized, and displayed along with an icon of a portion of the anatomy from which the radiograph was taken. The anatomical sites represented by the icon are arranged according to their normal anatomical relationship. The icon is used by the system user to select a portion of the anatomy corresponding to the displayed radiograph, and the radiograph is stored along with indicia of the selected anatomical site. Then, when the stored radiograph is desired to be viewed, the icon is again displayed, and the appropriate anatomical site is selected, which causes the corresponding radiograph to be retrieved from storage and displayed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a digital panoramic X-ray image of an object is disclosed. The system of the invention includes an X-ray source and a digital radiation detector, which move around the object in unison in a certain time period. The radiation detector produces pixel data signals that are proportional to the incident X-rays on it. The pixel data signals are integrated over a series of varying time intervals to obtain pixel data signals which are proportional to the X-rays incident upon the radiation detector during each time interval. The integrated pixel data signals are converted into digital signals, which are then used to produce a digital X-ray image of the object.

Abstract: A method and device for use in combination with a dental x-ray film for reducing the pain, discomfort or tissue trauma associated with the emplacement of such a film into the oral cavity of a patient, the device comprising a tubular member formed of a soft, resilient nontoxic material, the member having an axially extending slot which extends radially into the member, the slot adapted to receive an edge of a dental x-ray film therein.