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Practice Solutions: DentiMax by James W. Ramey

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by James W. Ramey
James W. Ramey received a computer programming undergraduate and MIS degree from the University of Akron. He is currently the managing director of the digital imaging division for DentiMax and has worked in the industry for more than 12 years. Ramey has personal experience with almost every digital sensor, panoramic unit and intraoral camera, and all types of digital photography. Ramey has been published numerous times in many of the industry's trade journals. He has provided consulting services to hundreds of dental practices. You may reach Ramey at jimramey70@gmail.com.

Clear and diagnostic X-rays are critical, important tools for you to successfully diagnose your patients and efficiently run your office.

What factors produce that crystal clear image you want and need?

While the sensor is important, it is not the only factor. Here are the three critical elements to keep in mind when considering investment in a new digital sensor.

Resolution
Sensor resolution is one of the first things to consider.

Looking at the sensor's line-pair measurements (also known as resolution), you can measure the potential quality of the image it can produce.

Line pairs are the main method by which a sensor's resolution is measured. There are two types of line pair measurements: actual and theoretical.

The theoretical number is created through a mathematical calculation based on the pixel size of the sensor (in microns) and does have some subjectivity. A one-micron difference in pixel size could take a theoretical number from 26 to 33—quite a difference.

The actual pair number is a more accurate measurement of a sensor's clarity. The actual number of line pairs per millimeter is what you can see with your naked eye, so the actual number is the number to which you should pay the most attention since you don't regularly use a microscope to diagnose your X-rays.

Be careful to compare actual line-pair measurements between different sensors. In this case, the bigger the number, the better. Just don't compare one sensor's actual LPM to another sensor's theoretical LPM—this can cause confusion.

Software
The second factor to look at is software—critically important to getting the best images possible from your investment.

Software applies tools and filters to the image before you see it on your monitor. If you looked at a digital sensor's image (no matter which manufacturer) that is completely raw, the image would be extremely blurry and completely unusable for diagnostics. The filters or enhancements applied to that raw image give the practitioner a diagnostic image on the screen after the X-ray is exposed.

Most imaging software applications simply return the image one way, and in order to change the image that you see, you have to change your exposure time or use enhancement tools in the software post-capture—which takes up your valuable time. Other software applications have tools that can be manipulated so the image automatically looks exactly the way that you want to see it for optimal diagnostic quality. This image is specifically tailored for you.

Usually, imaging software applications are free with a sensor purchase. But many of these software systems are closed-platform applications—they work only with the devices manufactured by the same company. As companies are bought and sold, new models are brought to market, or sensors wear out or break.

You won't have many options with a closed application. With open-platform software, you can make sure that you are getting the best product for your practice. When it comes time for a new sensor, you will have the freedom to choose what works best for you at the price point that you need. This is where the third factor becomes relevant: service.

Service
Before investing in a sensor, it is important to examine the kind of service the company will provide. Will you be stuck in loops of transferred calls and sales people? Or will you be able to contact someone directly who has the expertise to answer your questions?

It is important to work with people who can help you get that perfect image you are looking for. The service should provide you a simple yet thorough explanation of how to best use your software-and-sensor combination to get the exact results you desire.

Every dentist has a preference on how an X-ray needs to look to be truly diagnostic, and without this quality and personalized service, many doctors settle for less-than-spectacular X-ray images, often missing out on a deeper level of diagnosis.

Overall value
When these three factors are taken into consideration, the bottom line is value. Which complete digital imaging system will fit your practice the best?

As a dentist, you are running your own business. Your costs ultimately impact how much money you bring home. When considering a digital-sensor investment, ask yourself if you are making a wise decision in terms of value. Is the extra $10,000 per sensor, per year, really worth $10,000 more in value?
  • Could you obtain the same—or better—diagnostic X-rays at a lower price?
  • What kind of return on investment will this digital sensor provide?
  • How long will this sensor last?
  • Does the support team that you will be working with truly care about you and your practice, or are you just another number?
  • Does the support team really know what they are doing as far as getting you the best possible image?
  • Can they help you with other manufacturers' equipment, such as digital panoramic units or intraoral cameras?
As you examine options for updating your digital sensors, keep in mind the three factors—the line-pair measurements/resolution, the software, and the service—to determine what digital sensor will provide your office with clearest and most diagnostic X-rays. This decision will contribute to the efficiency of your office and improve your bottom line—and most important, will make a world of difference in the level of service you provide to your patients.



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September 2025
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