Evaluation of mechanical and projective standardization in digital subtraction radiography

The following conclusions were obtained from the non-reconstructed and reconstructed subtraction images of the standard intraoral radiographs which were taken with paralleling technique with Rinn XCP only and with occlusal bite registration for geometric standardization using bilateral mandibular premolar and molar regions of two dry human skulls. 1. The SD of the overall subtraction images of the premolars and molars of the non-reconstructed, that is, the manual superimposition showed statistically significant difference between the non-registered and registered groups. 2. In non-reconstructed and non-registered cases, the quality of the subtraction images were improved when superimposition was focally done and this was more evident in areas where the radiographic imaged tend to be distorted due to anatomic readons. 3. In non-restricted and registered cases, the subtraction images were consistent regardless of the anatomic site or the focus superimposition. This means that the geometric standardization with only occlusal bite registration could produce serial radiographs which is suitable for subtraction. 4. The SD of the overall subtraction images of the premolars and molars of the reconstructed, that is, the automatic superimposition showed statistically insignificant difference between the non-registered and registered groups. This means that using reconstruction, subtraction radiography is possible without occlusal bite registration. 5. In reconstructed and non-registered cases, compatible quality of the subtraction images were obtained regardless of the anatomic site or area of the corresponding points. 6. In reconstructed and registered cases, best subtraction images whose quality showed sensitivity to the areas of corresponding points were obtained.