Dental xeroradiography as an adjunct in the evaluation of oral cancer: a preliminary report.

This pilot study of an experimental dental xeroradiography imaging system involved twelve oral cancer clinic patients. Xeroradiographs were compared with conventional intraoral film radiographs, taken with similar x-ray projections. The new dental xeroradiographic system was judged superior for the imaging of both osseous and soft-tissue structures. Especially significant was the new imaging system's ability to portray early bone erosion not detectable with the conventional intraoral film technique. These results point to the need for controlled clinical evaluations of dental xeroradiography, in order to assess the full potential of this rapid, low-radiation imaging system in the evaluation of oral cancer.