Impact of scale standardization on images of digital radiography systems

Objectives: To test the effect of altering image size on diagnostic quality. Methods: Endodontic files, size 10 and 15 were prepared to full root length and 1.5 mm short, in upper and lower molars and premolars. Digital images of the Sidexis (S) and Visualix/Vixa (V) system were reduced in size to Digora (D) scale, and the D images were enlarged to S scale. ROC analysis was performed and data analysed with MANOVA statistics. Results: Assessment of root canal length with file size 10 was less accurate for the S images reduced in size, compared with the original S images (P < 0.011). All other differences were not significant (P > 0.081). Conclusions: Relevant diagnostic information may be lost when images are reduced in size. Therefore, for optimal presentation, the smaller images should be enlarged rather than the larger ones reduced.