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Digital dental radiography allows for exchange of images between primary and secondary care. However, it is common practice for radiographs to be printed out and attached to referrals. This study investigates the loss of diagnostic information of printed radiographs compared to the on-screen digital image. The best quality was achieved with images printed onto radiographic film or onto photographic paper with an inkjet printer. Laser and inkjet printer output onto 80 gsm office paper resulted in a loss of diagnostic information. Wherever possible, radiographs should be transmitted digitally between clinicians to maintain image integrity.
Clinical Relevance: This paper illustrates the potential pitfalls of printing radiographs to be sent with referrals.
Article
The introduction of digital panoramic radiographs in general dental practice allows for exchange of radiographic information between primary and secondary care. Unfortunately, this is not universally reflected in practice and many radiographs are printed out on standard office paper and attached to referrals. Most published work has concentrated on the quality of digital radiographs compared to film systems but a number of authors have investigated the quality of printed digital radiographs. Inkjet prints on glossy photographic paper and radiographic film demonstrate equivalent image accuracy to on-screen digital images1,2,3 and laser prints on office paper show acceptable image quality for medical CT scans in 90% of cases.4 Bitewing radiographs can be printed without loss of diagnostic information,5 but these can be easily enlarged many times, unlike panoramic radiographs. This study aims to establish if there is a loss of diagnostic information in a printed panoramic radiograph compared to the on-screen digital image.
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