As a dental office grows and ages, x-ray machines are often added and replaced; the new x-rays are usually not the same type as the existing machines. Over time, dental clinics end up with a wide variety of x-ray machines, and often, image inconsistencies from operatory to operatory. Thankfully, this is easy to fix.

Your service technician likely has access to a few x-ray test tools, such as an exposure timer, kVp meter, and mR meter. I will spare you the detailed technical discussion of the process; but your technician can actually go from room to room, recording data about your x-ray exposures, and make adjustments to the machines to ensure consistent radiation entrance dosages from room to room.

Sometimes, adjustments can be made internally to the machines, while sometimes the timer will simply have to be adjusted. This may mean different timer settings in each room: for example, Op 1 might have a bitewing setting of .18s, Op 2 .20 seconds, and Op 3 .25 seconds.

In my experience, this isn’t much of an inconvenience; most people seem to use one timer setting for the vast majority of their exposures anyway. For those who do change timer settings frequently, a simple printed label stuck on the front of the x-ray will tell you the proper setting for that room. And of course, a machine with a programmable timer makes this all automatic.

An entire 5 operatory practice can likely have this work performed in anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the type of x-ray machines in the clinic. For a relatively small cost, you can make dramatic improvements in the diagnostic capability of your office.

Posted by Ryan

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

Many factors play into the decision of whether to replace or repair damaged equipment; the age of the machine, condition, service history, etc. These factors should be considered before any repair, but x-rays pose a special consideration because they are generally so long-lived, and the repair bills are usually so high.

In my opinion, if the x-ray machine is out of warranty, and the tube head fails, the entire machine should be replaced. Note that many x-ray machines have an extended, pro-rated warranty on the x-ray tube head. This tube head warranty varies greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but 5 years is a general guideline.

Now, it’s true that x-ray generator technology hasn’t changed much in the last 5 years, but ultimately replacement is probably the best use of your money. There is no telling what kind of strain a tube head failure may have placed on the x-ray’s circuit board and power supply, and a failure of either of these components at a later date is likely to push the cost of repair past the cost of replacement.

Replacement also gives you the opportunity to lease the new machine, something you can’t do with a repair. In addition, the new machine will come with a new warranty. Generally, it’s better to repair than replace, but not when it comes to tube heads.

Posted by Ryan

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

Synca has designed CADI very well; the layout is crisp and simple, with easy to understand icons and very few clicks required to do what you want to do. Even new users will have no problem capturing and editing images because of the intuitive interface.

CADI is not a patient management system; however, it integrates very well with the vast majority of patient management systems on the market today. Of course, CADI also includes a very capable patient database, so if you aren’t running patient management software, CADI will be able to organize all of the images for you (Actually, CADI always organizes the images for you; when linked to your PMS it simply recognizes the patient’s name, and then opens up the correct file within its own database).

CADI is compatible with virtually all intra-oral cameras, extra-oral camera, intra-oral x-ray, and extra-oral x-ray systems. In addition, CADI can also launch external programs such as patient education files or treatment planning programs.

Many manufacturers of imaging equipment will provide imaging software for free, or at a reduced cost. This software usually works adequately, but only for the equipment that it was designed for. Using third-party software, such as CADI, for your image management provides several advantages. For example, if you are using a DenOptix machine (and VixWin) to capture digital radiographs, and want to upgrade to Schick sensors in the future, you will need to go through a complicated process to convert your old images into the new database. With CADI, you only need to install the Schick drivers onto the computer. Also, because you are paying for the software, it is designed to a higher standard than software that is given away at no charge. This means a better initial product, and better customer service when help is required.

For more information on CADI 6, visit the website at www.cadi.net. If not for anything else, check the wacky videos they have introducing the product.

Tags: Dental Imaging and X-Ray, dental lab equipment

‘Best’ is of course, often a sales strategy. So what is a DC x-ray, and is it really better?

AC x-ray machines use an alternating current to drive the tube head to produce x-rays. This is usually the same 120v AC supply that powers our home; the voltage alternates from +60 to -60 volts, giving 120v of potential across two wires. The tube head produces x-rays for only about 1/2 of the total exposure time, as radiation is produced only during the positive alternation of the AC waveform. This method has been used to produce dental x-rays since their inception. It is a relatively simple technology and works very well.

DC x-rays are actually high frequency AC machines – rather than a 60 Hz waveform like an AC x-ray, they produce a very high frequency (often around 70 kHz) waveform, and only produce positive pulses. The end result is a much more constant output of radiation from the tube head.

What this means to the user is that during very short exposure times, the DC x-ray will produce more consistent radiation than the AC unit, by as much as 1/3 on a .04 sec exposure. As a result, images taken with a DC x-ray tend to be more consistent from image to image. However, this advantage disappears rapidly as the exposure time increases. Someone taking standard film-based bitewings at .25 seconds would not see the difference.

DC x-ray machines can provide more consistent images from low exposure time settings, but there is no need to replace x-ray machines just to go digital. The AC x-ray generator that currently hangs on your wall is more than capable of producing high quality, diagnostic images, even with digital radiography. However, if you are building a new practice or looking to replace an x-ray machine in the near future, it is worth taking a closer look at a DC unit.

If you are looking dental x ray machines check the listings of  new or used dental x ray machines on our site.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

As computers become more common in the dental operatory, issues concerning the cleaning and disinfecting of computer equipment are becoming more prevalent. Hospitals have been dealing with these issues for some time, and they have great, albeit expensive methods for dealing with them.

One example is that hospital monitors are often designed to be disinfected, and come with flat glass screens which are impervious to chemicals. Hospital keyboards in patient care areas are often either flat with no ridges, or use a touch screen interface to simplify cleaning.

Since most dental offices choose to use standard computer equipment, many of the hospital’s methods do not apply. There are a few things that I have seen used in the past that I thought I would share with you today. You will have to judge the effectiveness of these methods yourself, as I am not a medical professional. However, hopefully these ideas will either agree with you, or will spark your imagination and help you come up with your own solution.

Mice and keyboards pose the most common problems. A computer keyboard is often a cleaning & disinfecting nightmare, with all the individual buttons, complex shapes, ridges and gaps. It goes without saying that the mouse and keyboard should be wireless; cords would add a whole extra level of complexity, and would be a nightmare to keep clean.

Bluetooth mice and keyboard sets are widely available, have great range, and can be configured to not interfere with other computers in close proximity.

The most common solution I have seen for keeping the mouse clean is simply to use a stick on barrier film. This allows the buttons to be pressed freely, and cleaning the mouse is as simple as replacing the barrier. This assumes that the mouse is being used on a clean surface, and that there is no chance of the bottom of the mouse becoming contaminated.

Another solution is to use a Ziploc style bag. This could cause some problems with tracking if the bag were to get bunched up under the mouse, but cleaning the mouse is as simple as replacing the baggie.

Keyboards have several options available. There are plastic, roll up keyboards available – these still have the problem of a varied surface, but can be sprayed down with disinfectant and left to soak.

Many companies make plastic keyboard covers to prevent dust and crumbs from getting into the inner workings of the keyboard. These covers could also work in a dental office by allowing you to remove the cover and spray it down, or spray the keyboard with the cover in place. The downside to this method is that the covers do not last very long, since they are not designed to be exposed to harsh chemical.

The most common method that I see?

Simply wrapping the keyboard with Saran Wrap, and replacing the plastic between each patient.

What do you think of the methods described above? Have you used some or all of them in the past? Do you have an idea that works better? Leave a comment below, and share your ideas with your fellow readers.

Dentist with computer

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray, dental lab equipment

Previously I discussed a couple of ways to attract new customers to your practice. Here are three more methods to keep your practice growing.

1. Specials and Promotions – grocery stores run ‘Loss Leaders’ by selling goods for less than they cost in order to get people in the doors, knowing that customers will buy more than that one item. Dental offices can run similar programs. Tooth whitening is still enormously popular, especially at this time of the year with holiday pictures, parties, Valentines Day, and resolutions to look great in the New Year. Offering bleaching for $99 or even $49 more than covers the cost of a bleaching kit, and allows you to leverage that patient with exams, x-rays, hygiene, and even orthodontics or cosmetic procedures.

2. Direct Mail/Flyers – Simple advertising pamphlets sent via direct mail to a particular demographic, or leaflets stuffed into a community newspaper can bring in scores of new patients. The Keep It Simple, Stupid approach works best here. Rather than elaborate full-color brochures trying to sell specific procedures, convey a message of caring and quality, and make sure to include all of your contact information.

3. Free Media Coverage – have you recently renovated your office or purchased a new piece of equipment such as a cone beam CT, VELscope, or DIAGNOdent? Contact a newspaper or television news program to let them know about it. Alternatively, tell the media (with the patient’s permission of course) about how a new smile helped one of your patients change their life – by getting a new job, a modeling contract, or whatever. Good human interest stories are always in demand. Also consider getting involved with local makeover contests. Small donations of time and supplies can result in tens of thousands of dollars worth of free media exposure.

Once you have all these new patients – how do you keep them? In a coming post I will share a few ideas as to how you can retain your new clients.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

“When are you going digital, Doctor?” Every dentist who has a dental supply rep call on them has heard this question repeatedly. Many dentists have taken the plunge and converted from film based radiographs to digital radiographs. For those offices who have not yet made the switch, let’s review the benefits.

Digital radiography has changed the way dentistry is practiced. The act of viewing X-rays on a monitor instead of on a view box brings with it several advantages.

1. Size: It sounds simple, but simply having a larger image makes it easier to diagnose the radiograph, and enables you to spot problems earlier. It also makes it easier to show these problems to your patients. This results in better patient understanding, and the result higher treatment plan acceptance.

2. Image Optimization: Film based developers have chemicals which get old and lose their efficacy. Digital X-ray imaging quality is much longer lasting (though eventually sensors drop pixels and phosphor plates age and image quality degrades). Good software gives us the ability to darken/lighten individual images. This allows us to view the perfect image. Additional software tools can let us measure distance or even bone density, and assign a number to it that we can track over time.

3. Time Management: Digital X-rays are so much faster than traditional X-ray developers that your staff saves valuable minutes on each patient. Even endo procedures will go faster. Some will argue that you can see more patients in a day, but this isn’t likely. What is probable is that your staff will have more time to spend with the patients, improving chair side manner, and more time to disinfect, clean, and prepare for the next patient.

4. No Chemicals/Reduced Maintenance: Whether you believe in the concept of ‘green’ or not, everyone appreciates saving money. With traditional X-rays developers you are constantly paying for chemicals and the labor to clean the developer, and parts and labor for repairs. Computers sometime break down, but it’s much more likely that you would be down only in one room. In addition, the computer repair bill is probably less expensive than your service technician and parts.

So, when are you going digital Doctor?

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

These machines are exactly what they sound like, relatively small, easy to install, and easy to use CT machines, focused on the head and jaw of the patient. These machines are inexpensive when compared to a hospital CT machine, but are priced higher than a standard panoramic x-ray machine. Of course, the images you get are much more detailed than what you would expect from a standard panoramic X-ray.

Why do you need a 3-D Cone Beam CT machine in your practice?

There are a number of reasons why you might want one; for example you might be performing implant surgeries, be working with advanced orthodontic cases, or performing a wide range of oral surgeries. The extra imaging capability of these machines will improve your understanding of the patient’s anatomy, resulting in a higher level of care for your patient. The Cone Beam gives you a detailed three dimensional image that can be manipulated in a variety of ways.

Two of the leading machines on the market are the J. Morita 3D Accuitomo FPD (http://www.jmoritausa.com/accuitomo_80.asp) and the Gendex GXCB-500 (http://www.gxcb500.com/).

These machines use X-ray tube head technology to excite a flat digital sensor, similar to a digital pan. Once the exposure is complete, the software assembles all of these flat pixels into an exact digital 3-D model of the target.

These machines typically take up no more space than a standard panoramic x-ray, although there can be more stringent installation requirements in terms of placement and shielding around the machine. Some of the machines have the patient stand up similar to a pan, but most machines have a seat for the patient to sit in. This is due to the slightly longer exposure time and the importance of the patient being absolutely still throughout the exposure.

The images that these machines produce, and the sheer amount of information contained in these images is amazing. The images are completely 3-D, and can be manipulated on all axis.

In addition, the software gives you the capability to zoom, crop, slice, and dissect. Dentistry is no longer only about filling cavities. As the industry and profession continue to advance, the Cone Beam will become more mainstream, and will eventually become the new standard of care.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray

Dental imaging equipment helps the dentist to see areas of the tooth structure that are not visible from external observation.

What to look for when choosing dental imaging and x-ray equipment

Intra-oral/panoramic:

Although you may not use panoramic dental imaging equipment as much as intra-oral dental imaging equipment, chances are you cannot do without either of them so you are better off buying dental imaging equipment with this capability that can produce these kinds of images and even more if possible. Intra-oral dental imaging involves the imaging of the internal part of the mouth mostly teeth in a row or just and individual tooth. A panoramic view however is taken of half an arc of the mouth or a row of teeth.

Digital / or film dental imaging and x-ray:

Digital dental imaging equipment offer an advantage in that you can directly transfer the images to your office computer manipulate them, send them or file them for reference or for continued patient care. Film needing technologies takes time and takes more maintenance and funds because accessories like film and chemicals to develop the film. Digital imagery is cheaper than film dental imaging. Digital imaging also means less radiation exposure for the patient and also helps the dentist who wishes to maintain a paperless to do so.

Radiation protection:

It is important to provide protection against radiation for the operator of imaging equipment in the practice as well as the patient. The patients must be protected in all areas that are not under treatment and the operator should be behind a protective barrier to operate the imaging machine. If possible choose x-ray machines with DC high frequency rather than AC imaging machines as they emit less radiation. Exposure to x-ray radiation is believed to be carcinogenic; so this is something you will want to take very seriously in your clinic.

3-D imaging:

Although it is a relatively new feature in dental imaging industry it does come with considerable advantages. 3-D dental imaging is useful in the evaluation if craniofacial surgery and orthodontic treatment because it covers the dental structure but also includes the adjacent structure of the face and skull which are integral parts to the dental structure and play a role in the proper functioning of it.

These features have not been adequately covered by film and 2–D digital dental imaging. To be able to provide the most advanced dental services and to operate at an optimum level choose equipment with 3_D imaging capabilities. If prices are prohibitive you can always go for used dental imaging equipment

Caring for dental imaging equipment

It is important that equipment that may emit radiation is checked regularly to ensure that they are functioning well and that any protection provided within the practice for patients and operators are working well. Any dental imaging equipment with moving parts should be lubricated regularly. A more important consideration is the disinfection of any parts that may come in contact with patient mouths to prevent cross-infection.

As much as dental imaging equipment is concerned it is important to look into the future. Digital imaging and other advancements definitely make your work easier and record keeping is breeze. The initial cost will for sure pay back in a short while.

Tags: Dental Equipment, Dental Imaging and X-Ray