Computed Radiography vs. Digital Radiography: Which Is Right for Your Practice?

Computed Radiography

Digital Radiography

Resolution

·   Not as high as digital radiography

·   Considered the best image quality and comparable to high-speed film in many cases, improving your diagnostic accuracy

Speed of Acquisition

·   Faster than film, slower than digital, impacting workflow for inter-operative imaging and new patient /recall exams

·   Viewable in seconds, maximizing efficiency and productivity

Expenses

·   Variable, because plates are consumed over time

·   Easily damaged

·   No additional expense after initial purchase, other than warranty costs and disposable sheaths (because sensors are reusable and durable)

Similarity to Film

·   Film-like workflow, reducing training

·   Entirely different workflow, although user friendly, making training necessary

Quantity Needed for a Practice

·   One scanner; several plates, which can be used by more than one user at a time and later scanned

·   Several sensors of various sizes, depending on size of the practice and number of users

Size Options

·   Available in more sizes than DR

·   Available in sizes 0, 1 and 2

Patient Comfort

·   Multi-size options

·   Due to flexibility and thinness, considered more comfortable for small children and patients with anatomic limitations and/or strong gag reflexes

·   More comfortable than their predecessors (thanks to contoured design), but still may be intolerable for patients with anatomic limitations and/or strong gag reflexes