Estimated skin exposure as an indicator for comparing radiovisiography (RVG) versus conventional Ektaspeed Plus dental radiography.

An Everest 3000 Radiovisiography (RVG) Video system (Trophy USA Inc., Fredericksburg, VA 22402) was compared with conventional radiography using Ektaspeed Plus film (Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, NY 14650). Previous studies of the RVG system with a special computer controlled x-ray timer (Trophy USA, Inc.) claimed a significant reduction in radiation. Trophy has also claimed that the RVG system can provide diagnostic quality images utilizing existing conventional x-ray generators. This study used a conventional timer and generator. Since it would be logical to assume that many practitioners would use the equipment "in place" rather than invest in new, unfamiliar equipment. Estimated Skin Exposure (air) was used as the primary criteria for comparative purposes. Exposure has been defined as "a measure of radiation quantity, the capacity of ionize air. The roentgen (R), is the traditional unit of radiation exposure measured in air"; The results indicate that the RVG system when combined with a standard conventional timer actually generated greater radiation exposure than does standard, routine radiography.