Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 18:34:17 GMT

PM sent.

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Bob Russell — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 13:46:46 GMT

Even more reason to get a dedicated dental x-ray generator. Used properly it will probably pay for itself in a year and allow you to do better dentistry at the same time.

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Busybee — Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:49:44 GMT

Hi Evelyn,

Our generator head can be angled in one plane only - away from the user or towards the user.

We use an AGFA CR-15-X system. We do have a dental x-ray plate with the system.

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Bob Russell — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 10:32:05 GMT

Ebay sellers tend to want to keep their reputation. Hilditch, I understand have engineers that will check out stuff that might go for good money. I tend to treat lack of that checking as a red flag!

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Rob Davis — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 09:58:50 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]If you are willing to take a risk then used units do come up on ebay from time to time. We paid under £800 for our x-ray generator (plus professional commissioning) but that was over ten years ago.[/quote]

I bought my first dental x-ray generator from Hilditch auctions (great source of second hand kit)...unfortunately it was pronounced DOA - leaking oil from the head and non-repairable. The £500 punt sadly didn't pay off that time....

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Bob Russell — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 09:44:20 GMT

In the grand scheme the cost of the equipment is not massive and even making a relatively token gesture with pricing a reasonable set up will be self-financing or profitable very quickly. Do not compare this to the get rich quick purchases such as in house labs and lasers. The reps for these will often paint a very rosy picture of the viability of these.

If you are willing to take a risk then used units do come up on ebay from time to time. We paid under £800 for our x-ray generator (plus professional commissioning) but that was over ten years ago. I took a punt on an ex-dentist sensor with a dead on arrival guarantee for about £1000. That was over 4 years ago. Some minor issues with software but other than that it takes great images.

Even full price it will pay for itself very quickly!

(there is a 'fully functional' unit in Brighton on Ebay for £450 but clearly that must be checked by an engineer before use)

Another potential bargain Ebay number: 392069924603

These must be checked over by a competent person and it is buyer beware of course. The old units do have a reputation for being fairly bombproof.

Our head nurse has just told me that her dentist still has the same unit as us!!!

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Rob Davis — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 09:15:55 GMT

I used to use our regular x-ray machine for dental radiographs for some time before purchasing a dental x-ray generator. It is possible though it can be difficult and it was SO slow compared to using the right equipment. Dental x-ray machines can be picked up fairly cheaply and if you are intending to do anything more than very occasional radiographs, would be well worth the investment.

I used to use our operating table raised up to reduce the film-focal distance to around 30cm (this sometimes required the addition of box files between the patient and the table with small patients!). Our machine was able to tilt in one dimension only, and then only unto around 30degrees, so positioning was largely about moving the patient into the right position in relation to the x-ray beam. This is tricky and frustrating but is possible and gets easier with time. The principles are exactly the same for getting the angles right, but a variety of sandbags and foam wedges will be required. Some experimentation will be required regarding exposure settings.

If you possibly can, buy a proper dental machine, you will not regret it and it will very quickly pay for itself.

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Beats — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 07:30:41 GMT

VIN has a basic article in the dental section on this.

If it's worth the effort: Can sign up for a month trial for free if not used before IIRC.

RE: Dental radiographs with regular x-ray head

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 22 Nov 2018 00:37:31 GMT

What digital system?

Can your generator head be angled or do you have the misfortune to have a fixed one?