An intraoral sensor with remarkable image quality and diagnostic capabilities
Digital intraoral X-rays offer a number of benefits for dental practices including improved image quality and gains in both speed and efficiency. The first Schick intraoral sensor launched over 25 years ago and since its debut, Dentsply Sirona has continued to improve upon its original innovation with each successive generation of technology. The latest generation – Schick AE – offers a proven theoretical resolution of 33 lp/mm. The Advanced Exposure technology means that image data can be processed and filtered for sharpness, brightness and contrast to make anatomical structures visible that would otherwise be difficult to discern. Images are immediately available to facilitate discussion with the patient and can be retrieved at the click of a button. From an organizational standpoint, the sensors have a clear advantage as there’s no need for practices to maintain the physical storage capacity for films.
Leonard Patella, D.D.S., is a general dentist with a practice in Garden City, New York. Advanced imaging technology features prominently in his personal practice, and includes the newest intraoral sensor from Dentsply Sirona – Schick AE. In the following testimonial, Dr. Patella writes about his own experience using the Schick AE in his personal practice.
One of the differentiating characteristics of my practice is in the technology that we have available in-house. We offer our patients the advantages of 3-D imaging using a Dentsply Sirona Orthophos SL 3D Cone Beam CT scanner and the convenience of digital dentistry through CEREC. For intraoral images, we have used digital sensors for many years.
The Schick AE offers significantly more detail than its predecessors. As soon as I take the image, the details are quite remarkable, especially when working on root canal cases. In especially challenging cases, I like to use Schick AE because it lets you see the root more clearly than other sensors without having to make adjustments to the images. The periodontic mode is also wonderful to work with. My hygienist uses Schick AE as her go-to sensor for full-set, bitewings and check-ups.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with other systems, including at the hospital where I teach, which gives me a broad perspective to compare the Schick AE sensor. Simply put, there’s no comparison in regard to the detail of the X-ray in my opinion.
Remarkable Image Quality and Diagnostic Capabilities
Image 1: Example of the image quality using the Schick AE intraoral sensor. The x-ray is of a 17-year-old male who presented for a recall appointment after not being to the office in several years. The red arrows show the very detailed interproximal decay. The blue arrow shows a small area of lingual decay that would be hard to see without the filters. The yellow arrow shows the extremely detailed bone level. The x-ray filter used is my default, General Dentistry, 70%.
I also like the USB 3 interface which has certainly accelerated data transfer. Dentsply Sirona has also made it possible to exchange the sensor cable right at the practice which leads to greater practice efficiency and convenience. I’ve come to expect smooth integration of the Sidexis 4 software with Dentsply Sirona’s hardware and Schick AE certainly lives up to that expectation.
Another feature that I appreciate is the ability to keep the dose very low for my patients while still being able to see the same features as other sensors that have double or triple the dose levels. My practice has a number of patients who have been with us since we opened about 20 years ago. Some of my patients started at my practice as children and I now have the privilege of also having their kids as patients. Being able to keep track of the dose and keep it as low as possible for my patients is important to me and the Schick AE sensor really helps me to achieve that goal.
Although my practice has used intraoral sensors for quite a long time, there are still some dentists using film and new patients that visit our practice are often astounded that their X-rays pop up on screen nearly instantaneously. This is something that patients really love. Being able to show patients their images so quickly also facilitates our conversation about diagnosis and treatment planning, which builds trust.
There are quite a number of benefits to using intraoral sensors and Schick AE operates in a league of its own for the combination of system durability, astounding image quality, diagnostic capabilities, and the added safety for my patients by being able to reduce their exposure without sacrificing my own ability to see everything necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
* This information was collected from an interview with Dr. Leonard Patella, a Key Opinion Leader for Dentsply Sirona. The quotes contained here are from that interview. This testimonial reflects the opinions and experience of one practitioner and is not necessarily representative of results that will be achieved by any other person or practice. Results will vary based on many factors and Dentsply Sirona does not guarantee any particular result or outcome. Dentsply Sirona is not responsible for the opinions, views or comments by any third party, and does not necessarily share the opinions, views or commentary of postings on this site.