Alteration of computer dental radiography images

This study was designed to determine if digital images stored on the hard d rive of a Schick computer dental radiography system could be exported, alte red, and then restored to the drive without any visible signs of alteration . Digital images were downloaded from the computer dental radiography syste m using an I-Omega Zip Drive, 100-MB capacity, and then opened in Corel Pho to Paint where images were altered and manufacturer export symbols were edi ted. The resulting images were printed to a default printer (Fargo Foto Fun ). The ease of manipulation of the exported digital im;ages reflects the ne ed for the manufacturer to implement safeguards so that the integrity of di gital imaging cannot be compromised. Computer dental radiography has many a dvantages: conservation of time (instant radiographs), less radiation (50 t o 60%), no chemical waste, and many viewing options. However, questions tha t might be raised regarding the ability of persons with minimal computer ex pertise, using a commercially available program to alter images should be a ddressed.