By Michael Folck, DDS
Recently, our dental practice in Virginia Beach, Virginia expanded, and change is always a part of the evolution of any practice. Our priority was to include technology that improves our treatment plans and our patient experience. We don’t want to be “just another dental office.” With our experience, expertise, and equipment in cosmetic, neuromuscular, and general dentistry, we want to be able to provide our patients with everything they need for a strong, healthy, and dazzling smile, from customized smile makeover treatment plans to restorative and therapeutic treatments to state-of-the-art cosmetic dentistry procedures. Imaging is the first step toward devising a comprehensive plan of care, and my new DEXIS™ Platinum sensors are the clear leaders in this aspect.
In the early days of digital imaging, my X-ray system sat on a cart that moved from room to room. As time passed, I upgraded with that brand, although I was not impressed with the image quality. I noticed that my colleagues who had DEXIS had images that were clearer than mine, and that piqued my interest.
When we expanded our office from five operatories to 12, we wanted to invest in the best products — ones that we considered “top of the line.” Henry Schein Dental representatives David “Rusty” Kratochvil and Wayne Boiselle were extremely helpful in fulfilling our goals. When I told them that we weren’t happy with the clarity of our X-rays, they recommended that we try DEXIS. Karen Kraus, DEXIS Regional Sales Manager, showed us the system, and we were very impressed.
I am proud to offer the most “state-of-the-art” procedures that dentistry has to offer today, and it all starts with the best imaging.
I was interested to hear that a comparison study between the DEXIS Platinum system and my former system showed DEXIS to be the best in image quality, to have the most consistent images at lower doses, and to have greater patient comfort and a faster workflow.* When I looked on the DEXIS website to find out more, I discovered that DEXIS hardware and software work in harmony to compensate for radiation variances resulting in more consistent images at a wider range of exposure settings. Also because the images are 2.2 megapixels, they can be enlarged or zoomed in on without loss of quality.
Even without knowing any of the science behind it, I see images every day that are much sharper and detailed. The system has a ClearVu™ image enhancement tool to define the images even more, but even our basic images have a sharp, crisp look. And when I think back to the days of rolling around our X-ray system on a cart, I realize how lucky we are to now be able to carry the Platinum sensor from operatory to operatory, and plug it directly into the USB port.
After practicing for more than 30 years, I am so happy to give my patients a comfortable, spa-like experience in our beautiful, renovated space. I am proud to offer the most state-of-the art procedures that dentistry has to offer today, and it all starts with the best imaging.
*Data sources: DEXIS Sensor Competitive Performance Study, December 2013, by Brad Carlson, Ph.D., and Scott Kravis, Ph.D.; DEXIS Sensor Clinical Evaluation Report, February 2015, by Christine Hart, CDA, and Lisa Ratnow; Indications for use: www.dexis.com/IFU