![]() ![]() Moreover, bulky wall-mounted units have awkward arms to manipulate, which often drift during exposure or if the patient moves unexpectedly. ![]() In addition to saving on acquisition costs, maintenance costs associated with multiple wall-mounted units are eliminated. 4 There is no need for installation, special cabinetry that takes up space, reinforced walls, or electrical work. In terms of economics, one handheld device can service up to four operatories, eliminating the need for multiple wall-mounted units. 4 The freedom to position portable devices at any angle makes it possible to take x-rays while the patient is reclined or sitting upright. In fact, the time needed to take radiographs is often reduced by half, saving approximately 120 hours annually. 4 In addition, staying in the room may reduce the number of retakes caused by patient movement and improve efficiency and workflow. ![]() The ability to stay in the room makes it ideal for use with any patient who has difficulty with x-rays, including pediatric, geriatric, special needs, or fearful patients. The patient may feel less intimidated about x-rays if the operator stays in the room instead of running out to stand behind a wall during exposure. Handheld x-ray devices offer advantages compared to traditional wall-mounted units, including portability and flexibility in patient care. However, before making the decision to go “off the wall” and invest in a handheld device, it’s critical to look at the entire picture by evaluating the benefits and pitfalls of these new devices. 1 Handheld devices are an appealing solution for dental practices wanting to avoid the cost of purchasing wall-mounted units for every operatory. 1īasic components of a handheld device include an x-ray tube assembly, irradiation switch on the body, and a protective shield at the end of the cone to reduce backscatter radiation to the operator. They come in two forms, a pistol design resembling a hairdryer, operated by a trigger on the handle, and a camera-like design operated by a push button. Various handheld devices are available on the market offering advantages and disadvantages over wall-mounted units. Today, handheld battery-powered devices make it possible to stay in the room and hold the x-ray device. When using conventional wall-mounted units, the operator has to leave the room and stand behind a shielded wall during exposure. Handheld x-ray devices, developed in the early 1990s for military medicine and humanitarian missions, have increased in popularity over the past few years in dental practices, challenging the concept of a “controlled area.” 2,3 1 Conventional intraoral x-ray equipment is designed to be fixed to the wall or ceiling, with the exposure button located behind a protective barrier to ensure the operator receives no exposure to x-rays. Both wall-mounted units and handheld devices are sources of x-rays used to produce dental images with film, phosphor plates, or digital sensors. When Wilhelm Roentgen captured the first x-ray back in 1895, he probably never imagined the digitial revolution that would lead to today’s high-tech wall-mounted units and handheld x-ray devices. Intraoral radiography is a long-standing and essential tool used to support the diagnosis, treatment, and management of dental conditions. ![]()
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