Which Digital Radiography System Do you Use?

Yesterday, I took the plunge. I purchased the Dexis system. I was blown away by the image quality and the ease of use of the software. I can't wait to receive the system. It should be here next week. It will be interesting to see how the staff adapts to it. Half the staff is extremely exited, the other half is a little worried. I think this is going to be one of these technologies we'll someday wonder how we ever lived without.
Talarob,
Official Townie

Welcome to the club! Your staff and patients will love you for this one. Make sure that you have your monitors located so your patients can see their pics. They love this stuff--even the adults love to take a paper copy home with them. Have fun with it. If Ican be of any help let me know.
Keith,
Official Townie

I will be purchasing the Dexis system in the next month. I am curious as to what the fee was for you?
Brodi,
Official Townie

Congrats, I'm sure you'll love it! BTW, what did you get in the way of sensors, equipment, etc. and what was the cost?
Mike_esposito_dds,
Official Townie

I don't have the receipt in front of me, but my total cost was around $12,750 plus tax. I only purchased one sensor. I was assured that this was all I need. Supposedly, one of the advantages of Dexis is that, due to the shape, size and active area of the sensor, one sensor size is all you need. I am hopeful that, between two hygienists and myself, we will need only the one.

Included in that price was the software. There is various software you can purchase, including networking software (which you need if you are on a network), scanning software (allows you to scan into Dexis), photo management software (allows you to store and manage intraoral and digital photos) and a letter writing application which allows you to very simply drag photos and x-ray images into a form letter. I didn't purchase the last two applications. Since I use SoftDent, I think I can do all that pretty easily as is. My purchase also includes 5 hours of training. It all seems so simple, I don't know that I even need this. It will be good for the staff, though. Also, included in the price were two card readers that need to be installed into two of my computers. Three of my computers do not need these readers because they already have them. These computers are Gateway Profile 3 XL computers. If you are looking at computers, you may want to check these out. They are stand-alone systems with the computer CPU and a flat screen monitor all built together. It is a great space saver.

I'm told I will receive the system next week. I'm sure we'll get started before our training and I'll let you know how it goes.
Talarob,
Official Townie

Thanks Rob....good that's the fee I was quoted also...nice to see consistency.
Brodi,
Official Townie

Have you seen any digital radiography images on your flat screens yet? My experience with flat screens and Schick has not been positive.
Brian,
Official Townie

From what I have seen, they look great. I have been looking at demo software, but the images look just as good if not better on the flat screen. I'll have the real software in place soon, so will get a chance to really compare the two.
Talarob,
Official Townie

I'll be interested in what staff, doctors and patients think of positioning that sensor. I have a Patterson Reveal (admittedly the low end) sensor and we all think it's hard to position and patients say it hurts. Really tough to get those 2nd molar apical views.

I got the Reveal because it was only $6000 and the only sensor that would connect to any s-video input, no special cards. Since I use Mac's and I knew that a $50 PhotoDelux image manipulation software program will do most of what the "slick" dental programs will do, I didn't see the need for the dental stuff. It's an easy matter to take the shots, open and manipulate them in PhotoDelux and then import them into my dental software.

I am considering changing to a phosphor plate system. I'll lose some of the instant convenience but still won't have auto processors and chemicals to cuss at. And I can still impress my patients by manipulating the x-rays on the computer screen. I will have to buy a Windows machine or run a soft Windows program but I still might do it. If anyone has experience, good or bad, with a phosphor plate system, I'd appreciate their input as well.
Raddoc,
Official Townie

Just curious, why are you entertaining the thought of going to a phosphor plate system? Is it a clearer image or is it much less expensive? After working with my Schick system for three years I can say its not perfect, but you couldn't get me to give it up for anything! It’s incredibly fast and I find the images to be excellent. There is no way I would want to putz with mounting plates Seems to me to be a real time waster. On the other hand it’s true that you don't have to deal with developer and fixer chemicals, but there are the associated tasks like adding printer ink, keeping high quality paper in stock, dealing with the occasional computer problems. Don't let any salesman tell you that you'll save a ton of money because you won't be buying film and chemicals! You'll spend just as much on the above mentioned products if not more.
Mike_esposito_dds,
Official Townie

I've now owned my Dexis system for a week and I love it! Certainly there have been a few bumps along the road, but I can tell you I'm never going back. I was particularly concerned about two of my hygienists who are real technophobes, but they have adapted extremely well. They particularly like the part about not having to run back and forth to the processor to load the films, retrieve the films and mount them in the holders.
Tallarob,
Official Townie