Influence of the incorporation of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors on the image quality and root fracture diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of images obtained with the addition of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors.

METHODS: Radiographic images of 34 single-rooted human teeth - 19 with vertical root fracture (VRF) and 15 of the control group - were obtained with and without the addition of a lead foil, using the VistaScan, Express, Digora Optime and Digora Toto systems. Images were evaluated by five observers regarding the diagnosis of VRF, using a 5-point scale. In a second moment, an observer preference analysis related to the presence of the lead foil was performed. Images of an acrylic phantom were also obtained with and without the addition of a lead foil, and the quantities of uniformity, grey value and standard deviation of grey values were obtained.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the VRF diagnostic values, considering the presence of the lead foil. Regarding the image quality preference, the observers preferred images acquired with the lead foil for all systems tested, but with greater values for Digora Optime (61.33%) and Express (61.33%). The presence of the lead foil did influence the image uniformity in all systems tested ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the lead foil increased the mean of grey values for Digora Optime and Express images ( p < 0.05), however it did not influence the SD in any of the digital systems ( p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The addition of a lead foil to intraoral digital receptors produces a positive effect in the image quality objectively detected by means of uniformity and subjective visual preference.