Comparison of three digital systems in relation to the optical density of glass ionomer cements

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare three digital systems – two optical plates and a sensor – in relation to the optic density of three restoring glass ionomer cements. The samples confectioned with each one of the materials in thicknesses of 1, 2, 3 and 4 mm were positioned between the two halves of an extracted and sectioned premolar tooth crown and radiographed. The measures of optical density, in values of pixels, had been carried through in accordance with the specifications of the corresponding system used and analyzed by means of the nonparametric Friedman’s Test (α = 1%). The results had shown significant differences in the averages of the values of optical density among the digital systems. The great optical density had been determined in CYGNUS system, followed for the DENOPTIX and DIGORA (p ≤ 0.01). However, there were not statistical differences among variations of optical density associated with the increase in the thickness of the sample. Therefore, it can be concluded that, although the differences in the optical density, the tested systems present similar results when they express the variation in function of the thickness of the used material. UNITERMS: digital radiography; glass ionomer cements; radiopacity