Students’ attitudes to digital radiography and measurement accuracy of two digital systems in connection with root canal treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate students' attitudes towards digital radiography and measurement accuracy in digital images recorded with a CCD-sensor and a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate radiography system in connection with root canal treatment. Thirty-one dental students participated in an endodontic course. Two single-rooted teeth were assigned at random to two receptors for digital radiographic examination, either (i) the RVG-ui CCD sensor or (ii) the Digora PSP plate system. After the endodontic treatment had been completed for the first tooth, the student filled in a questionnaire on their use of the digital system. Thereafter, the students switched radiography system and repeated the procedure for the second tooth. Eventually, the students completed the questionnaire by answering questions that directly compared the two digital systems. The gutta-percha filled tooth was measured using the system's own software. Two measurements of each tooth were performed: total tooth length (TTL) and root filling length (RFL). The teeth were dismounted from the plaster blocks and the true TTL and RFL was measured with an electronic slide calliper. The majority of the students had used the contrast enhancement facility (CCD sensor = 52%, PSP = 71%) and the zoom facility (65-68%) whilst some had used the density enhancement facility (CCD sensor = 39%, PSP = 55%). The students stated that they saved more time when they used the CCD sensor than when they used the PSP system (P < 0.001), and that it was easier to position the tooth with the PSP plate than with the sensor (P < 0.01). The lengths measured on the digital images from both digital systems were marginally larger than the true tooth lengths (P < 0.05). However, there was no difference between the two digital systems for the TTL/RFL ratio (P > 0.05).

Dental students' knowledge and attitudes towards cone beam computed tomography in Turkey

“…[7][8][9][10][11] While the literature does include one study that evaluates the effectiveness of web-based instruction in the interpretation of anatomy using CBCT images, 12 no information appears in the literature regarding students' knowledge and attitudes about CBCT.…”

Assessment formats in dental medicine: An overview

“…Direct dependence on the degree of structuredness [22]Validity increases with planning, design and conditions of testing [23], [24]. …”

Risk Factors for a False Positive Test Outcome in Diagnosis of Caries in Approximal Surfaces: Impact of Radiographic Modality and Observer Characteristics

“…It has been found that enhancement improved the estimation of lesion depth and resulted in higher accuracy [Svanaes et al, 2000;Li et al, 2002], but most reports have shown little or no effect of image enhancement [Møystad et al, 2003;Kositbowornchai et al, 2004;Koob et al, 2004;Haak and Wicht, 2005]. Nevertheless, observers tend to use image enhancement when provided, and dental students are taught and use these facilities in schools where digital radiography is available [Wenzel and Kirkevang, 2004]. Enhancement was used in the majority of images in our study, particularly by observers employed in a dental school, who at the same time took less time to score an image.…”