IMPACT OF SCALE STANDARDIZATION ON IMAGES OF DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEMS

Objectives: To test the effect of altering image size on diagnostic qu ality. Methods: Endodontic files, size 10 and 15 were prepared to full root length and 1.5 mm short, in upper and lower molars and premolars . Digital images of the Sidexis (S) and Visualix/Vixa (V) system were reduced in size to Digora (D) scale, and the D images were enlarged to S scale. ROC analysis was performed and data analysed with MANOVA sta tistics. Results: Assessment of root canal length with file size 10 wa s less accurate for the S images reduced in size, compared with the or iginal S images (P < 0.011). All other differences were not significan t (P > 0.081). Conclusions: Relevant diagnostic information may be los t when images are reduced in size. Therefore, for optimal presentation , the smaller images should be enlarged rather than the larger ones re duced.