PSP Plate Radiography Offers Superior Comfort and Image Acquisition

James G. Kouzoukian, DDS, on the Air Techniques ScanX Swift View 2.0

The use of digital radiography should certainly be considered the standard of care in diagnostics for today's modern dental practices. In my opinion, the minimized radiation exposure to the patient, exclusion of chemical processing, and speed of image acquisition have made the use of traditional film obsolete.

Wired digital radiography sensors, which directly transmit the image to the viewscreen, are thick and inflexible, and this can make positioning them difficult. Alternatively, photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates, commonly known as PSP plates, are thin and flexible and do not connect by wire to the computer or viewing screen. Instead, they are inserted intraorally in a similar manner to traditional standalone films. After exposure, PSP plates are inserted into a scanner, which reads the data and displays the image on the view screen.

Dental practitioners who use wired sensors often experience significant difficulty in obtaining diagnostically adequate views of necessary anatomy and pathoses, particularly for patients with mandibular or palatal tori and in areas of impacted third molars. In these situations, as well as for many other indications, PSP plates are capable of capturing high-quality, anatomically complete radiographic images. The thinner profile, flexibility, and larger active surface area of PSP plates facilitate better positioning and improve patient comfort during the diagnostic stage of the examination.

I have been a proponent of PSP plate technology since my purchase of the Air Techniques ScanX Classic View in 2006. In 2013, I upgraded to the faster ScanX Swift. Air Techniques' newest model is the ScanX Swift View 2.0, which combines speed, AI automation, and an interactive touch screen. Thanks to the ScanX Swift View 2.0's standalone mode, clinicians can even store and view images right on the device, independent of the practice's network status.

I have been extremely impressed by the ability of the thin and flexible Air Techniques ScanX IDX PSP plates to enable the visualization of long root apices, bony areas well beyond these apices where pathoses may exist, and even deep posterior areas for third molars. My patients have been reassured by my diagnostic capabilities, without experiencing discomfort, and my bottom line reflects the confidence that they have placed in me. I consider the Air Techniques ScanX IDX PSP plates to be a partner in the success of my practice.

James G. Kouzoukian, DDS
Private Practice
Forest Hills, New York

Key Takeaways

1. Radiography using PSP plates is a high-quality digital modality.

2. PSP imaging results in less radiation exposure to patients.

3. ScanX IDX PSP plates are thinner and more flexible than wired digital sensors, which makes them more comfortable when placed in patients' mouths, especially when used for third molar imaging and when tori are present.

4. The entire surface area of ScanX IDX PSP plates is active, so they are able to capture approximately 40% more anatomy than comparably sized wired sensors.

Manufacturer Information
Air Techniques, Inc.
airtechniques.com
800-247-8324