COMPARISON OF A PHOTOSTIMULABLE PHOSPHOR SYSTEM WITH FILM FOR DENTAL RADIOLOGY

This study compared the imaging performance of a photostimulable phosp hor system with E speed film for dental radiography. The response of e ach imaging system was measured as a function of radiation exposure. M easurements were also made of imaging performance in terms of the limi ting spatial resolution and low contrast detectability. Photostimulabl e phosphors had a wider dynamic range in comparison with film. The lim iting spatial resolution of the photostimulable phosphor was approxima tely 6.5 lp/mm and independent of image magnification. For film, the l imiting spatial resolution was in the range 11 to 20 lp/mm depending o n image magnification. At the same radiation exposure, low contrast de tectability of the photostimulable phosphor was superior to that of fi lm. Major benefits of photostimulable phosphor systems include the eli mination of chemical processing and an improved low contrast detectabi lity performance.