Intraoral digital radiography: A comprehensive report on the technical specifications of current and historical systems

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify, compile, and report the technical specifications of current and historical intraoral digital radiographic systems and recommend standardised reporting practices for production companies. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive report was prepared on 150 intraoral digital radiographic systems, comprising 105 sensor-based (70%) and 45 phosphor storage plate (PSP)-based systems (30%). Technical specifications were obtained from official company sources and scientific articles to ensure a complete collection of available data. Results: These systems were produced by 55 companies across 11 countries, with the United States leading (35.3%), followed by France (12%). Among the sensor systems, 76.2% used complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology, with notable variations in sizes and resolutions. PSP systems were available in 7 plate sizes and displayed diverse resolutions and scanning times. Twenty-one companies produced both sensor- and PSP-based systems, 33 produced only sensor-based systems, and 1 produced exclusively PSP-based systems. Conclusion: This report identified 150 digital radiographic systems, revealing wide variability in technical specifications and a lack of standardised reporting protocols. The comprehensive summary and recommendations for consistent documentation provided here can help clinicians make informed decisions and encourage manufacturers and production companies to adopt uniform reporting standards aligned with local regulatory frameworks.