Radiovisiography versus conventional radiography for detection of small instruments in endodontic length determination. Part 1. In vitro evaluation.

Radiovisiography is a new intraoral radiographic imaging system. In this in vitro investigation, radiovisiography was compared with conventional radiographs viewed with x2 magnification. Twenty-five extracted maxillary molars were evaluated for clarity of size 8 and 10 endodontic file tips in relation to the radiographic apex. Five images of radiovisiography were compared with D-speed and E-speed radiographs: original, enhanced, negative-to-positive, standard zoom, and zoom in the negative-to-positive mode. D-speed radiographs were also compared with E-speed radiographs. Zoom in the negative-to-positive mode was statistically equivalent to D-speed radiographs (p = 0.264) and superior to E-speed radiographs (p < 0.001). The standard zoom was also superior to E-speed radiographs (p = 0.025). D-speed radiographs were statistically superior to E-speed radiographs; being judged better than E-speed 90% of the time. Accurate identification of the position of the tips of size 8 and 10 files was achieved on all D- and E-speed radiographs with the use of magnification.