A comparison of panoramic image quality between a digital radiography storage phosphor system and a film-based system.

AIM To compare digital panoramic images acquired for the presurgical assessment of third molars captured with a storage phosphor-based system with conventional film panoramic radiographs. METHODS AND MATERIALS A total of 51 pairs of digital and conventional panoramic images, made simultaneously, were included in this study. The images were evaluated for diagnostic quality prior to third molar surgery by two experienced oral surgeons and rated with a four-point grading scale. RESULTS Despite the fact that conventional panoramic images were rated higher than the digital images, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Conventional and digital panoramic images were found to be of comparable image quality with regard to their diagnostic contribution to third molar surgery. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This study is contributory to understanding differences in image quality between digital and conventional panoramic radiography for certain diagnostic tasks. The lack of significant differences in image quality may be an endorsement for digital panoramic radiography.