Digital Images Obtained with a Digital Camera Are Not Associated with a Loss of Critical Information--a Preliminary Study

Aim: To investigate whether digital images obtained by a digital camera are deficient compared to the original radiographs.

Materials And Methods: Twenty pairs of bitewing radiographs of children and 40 anterior periapical radiographs were photographed using a digital camera. Images were saved as JPEG files and loaded onto a laptop. Film radiographs and digital images as scanned and after adjustments were evaluated for proximal caries and for periapical pathologies.

Results: A not statistically significant higher number of proximal lesions were observed on plain-film and enhanced digital images than on unenhanced images. Enhanced digital images resulted in significantly more diagnoses of external root resorption compared with conventional radiographs. Pulp canals appeared significantly more abnormal (obliterated or enlarged) in digital images compared with film radiographs.

Conclusions: Storing existing radiographs in a digital medium for space saving purposes using a digital camera does not loose critical information.Clinical implication Clinicians can use digital cameras to digitise and store radiographic images without losing important diagnostic information.