Platinum is a patient’s best friend

At my practice, new technology is added primarily for the purpose of serving our patients, saving them time, relieving their discomfort or improving their overall dental health. The Platinum sensor fills all of these criteria and more.

As a seven-year owner of the DEXIS sensor since implementing digital X-ray, the Platinum sensor offers more of the qualities that keep patients happy. First, communicating the condition to the patient is vital so that he/she can understand and start on a plan for treatment. Image quality is one of the most important tools for explaining dental issues or treatment plans to patients.

With my digital X-rays displayed on the computer monitor, I can sit next to my patient and explain while pointing out certain areas of concern. Because most of my patients are not trained in the art of reading X-rays, details and clarity are important. The high resolution I need to properly point out the details is achieved by what the company calls PureImage technology.

We all know that things in this world are not just black and white. The Platinum sensor’s 14-bit analog to digital converter generates 16,000 shades of grey. The company also has increased the megapixels, and similar to a digital camera, this means I can enlarge the images to my heart’s delight without losing quality because of the 2.2-megapixel size. In this aspect, my patients will experience enhanced communication through visualization.

Another focus of my practice is increasing my patients’ comfort wherever possible. While my DEXIS digital sensors already were a vast improvement over traditional film, refinements to the Platinum sensor raise the bar even higher. The company calls it TrueComfort because the Platinum is a little slimmer, without getting too thin (we don’t want it to cut like film), and with a smoothed shape and beveled corners. Platinum’s smaller, angled dome makes it comfortable and facilitates placement in the posterior areas of the mouth.

My patients know we respect their time constraints in this hectic world. Our digital system has already shortened appointment times by allowing us to capture an FMX in five minutes from start to finish (It also really helps us that the sensor detects radiation and the image is automatically saved, dated, tooth numbered and correctly oriented).

Also saving time is our newfound ability to take vertical and horizontal bitewings and all periapicals with a single sensor. The Platinum is easily transported between operatories because of the “integrated USB functionality.” That means we have a direct connection to the computer without fiddling with adapters, controllers or docking stations.

Last, but certainly not least, we always concentrate on improving patients’ overall dental health. As a San Francisco-based “green-conscious” practice, any environmental improvement that we can add to our office is a huge plus, and the topic of radiation exposure fits right in.

Letting patients know we are minimizing their radiation exposure any way we can is another way of showing patients that we actively consider their health concerns.

Platinum maintains effectiveness, even when capturing X-ray images with a wide range of radiation settings and with many brands of machines. I appreciate that we can lower settings to decrease patients’ radiation exposure without sacrificing image clarity or detail.

Another nice amenity that protects the patient is the ScatterGuard protective shield on the back of the sensor that prevents X-ray back scattering.

The growth of my practice depends on the satisfaction of my patients. They want to be respected, informed and comfortable, and digital technology has allowed me to address their needs on all of those levels. Going digital was big news for us. Now, something small and Platinum promises an even brighter future.

Although it’s not jewelry, for dental practitioners it sure is a gem of sensor technology.

Dr Brattesani is a graduate of University of California at San Francisco, School of Dentistry. An enthusiastic member of organized dentistry and awards recipient, she has held positions at the local, state and national levels.