Assessment of intraoral image artifacts related to photostimulable phosphor plates in a dentomaxillofacial radiology department

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence, frequency, and causes of artifacts in intraoral images obtained using photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.
Materials and Methods: A total of 11,443 intraoral images, including 4291 periapical and 7152 bitewing images, acquired over a 6‑month period as well as over a month 1‑year after the initial imaging were evaluated by a single observer and image artifacts only related to the PSP system were recorded. Before the study, an experienced dentomaxillofacial radiologist and a research assistant assessed a set of image artifacts and agreed on the causes of these artifacts. All unidentified artifacts were reassessed by both researchers before the final decision. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 11.5.
Results: The total number of images with one or more artifacts was 2344 (20.4%). Of these, 2008 were of adult patients and 336 were of pediatric patients. While movement of the phosphor plate in the disposable pocket was the most common cause of the observed image artifacts in the children, non‑uniform image brightness was the most frequently observed artifact in the case of the adults.
Conclusion: The percentage of images with artifacts in the 6th month was lower than that during the 1st month. More significantly, the lowest percentage was obtained 1‑year after the initial imaging, owing to the increase in familiarity with the system. Understanding the reasons for the image artifacts and studying ways of preventing are of high clinical importance.

Key words: Image artifact, intraoral digital imaging, photostimulable phosphor