Image contrast range for detection of enamel defects using a digital dental imaging system

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the acceptable range of image contrast for the detection of enamel defects by adjusting the contrast and brightness of a digital dental imaging system. Extracted human premolars and molars with enamel defects on the proximal surfaces were mounted in maxillary and mandibular sets on phantoms. The phantoms were individually exposed and processed with a digital dental imaging system from Computed Dental Radiography (CDR, Schick Technologies, Inc., NY, USA). The images were transferred to a personal computer, and the contrast and brightness were determined in the range of ±100 digital digit numbers (DDN) using Adobe Photoshop 4.0.1 J (Adobe Systems Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The 8-bit CRT display used was set at maximum inherent brightness. The relationship between the pixel value and the DDN in contrast at both the enamel and the background on the monitor was used to measure the acceptable image contrast by manipulating contrast and brightness. Six dental radiologists were asked to determine the presence or absence of enamel defects. The detectability was statistically analyzed using Fisher's protected limited standard deviation (PLSD) non-parametric test. When the inherent brightness on an 8-bit CRT display was adjusted to the maximum, there was an acceptable range of image contrast and brightness for the detection of enamel defects with this digital dental imaging system.