Dream Sensor Evaluation
A true nickname must be earned. At the time of our 2012 evaluation, DentiMax simply offered “boxless digital sensors.” Flash-forward to the present, and the company is touting its Dream Sensor. A score of 4.8 and a best product designation will certainly help in that regard. As one evaluator put it, “There is a difference in image quality between other sensors and this one.”
A Tough Act To Follow
After the Dream Sensors earned perfect marks for image quality in the 2012 evaluation, it might have seemed like there was little room for improvement. One of the original evaluators praised, “I can’t think of anything that I would change.”But DentiMax set out to make their sensors as resilient as possible to stand up to the rigors of everyday practice.
The first step in that direction was creating a stronger cord. According to DentiMax, the sensor’s cable has been modified with a Kevlar reinforcement to help strengthen the connection, increase durability, and help prevent damage.
While staff should always unplug a sensor by the USB, often users will pull on the cable instead, which can stress the cable and cause it to break over time. This Kevlar reinforcement helps to minimize damage to the cable connection to increase the longevity of your investment.
In addition, a new protective plate has been added to the face of the Dream Sensor. This new feature acts as a cushion or “shock absorber” for the sensor wafer, protecting the sensor if it is struck against a hard surface or bitten down upon by a patient. While it is not a substitute for proper care and precaution, the protective plate can help prevent a simple mistake from turning into a costly accident.
Image Is Everything
DentiMax hasn’t rested on its laurels when it comes to image quality, either. Since 2012, the company has updated the DentiMax Imaging software, adding new and improved image filters and processing algorithms that improve overall image quality.
Additionally, DentiMax developed new calibration files to eliminate fixed pattern noise in the resulting sensor images. Fixed pattern noise is the result of a digital sensor being so sensitive that the material the sensor “housing” is made of appears in the resulting x-ray itself. This noise can appear to be random lines through the image or an “organic-looking” artifact, like a fingerprint on the images. Dream Sensors didn’t have a major issue with fixed pattern noise, but with these software tweaks, it is completely eliminated and results in a much cleaner radiograph.
And what software upgrade would be complete without new bells and whistles? The latest software version implements new diagnostic tools on a diagnostic toolbar that help with the clinical evaluation of the x-rays. In addition, these tools can help with patient education by highlighting areas of concern on an x-ray, allowing the clinician to point out problems and convey a sense of urgency to the patient. This can help with higher treatment plan acceptance and faster turn-around times with a fuller schedule overall. For some patients, seeing truly is believing, and the new software upgrades can help.
The Nuts and Bolts
DentiMax also went under the hood, tweaking the sensor’s drivers to be compatible with a wide array of x-ray heads, from very old A/C pulse x-ray heads, to the newest D/C millisecond units, to the handheld (extremely low mA) x-ray sources. Dream Sensors have the capability to produce consistent, high-quality images across the board. This ability to adapt to such a wide range of equipment can help the end user save money where another sensor might require an x-ray upgrade. Your practice can spare an expense, your staff can use the equipment they’re used to, and everybody can expect the same high-quality images seen by our original evaluators.
Diagnose with Confidence
DentiMax Dream Sensors deliver a diagnosis image quality that evaluators rated a perfect 5.0
When it comes to digital sensors, it all comes down to image quality. Easy operation and built-tough construction don't mean much if the radiograph lacks the clarity to be of clinical use. The photos below demonstrate the capability of the Dream Sensor to aid the clinician in providing an accurate diagnosis with consistency.
