MAXimizing the use of your Imaging Plates

Dental Dynamix is often contacted with concerns about damaged imaging plates, emphasizing the need for care guidelines. 
Imaging plates do not age by x-ray exposure and processing, mechanical wearing does.
 
Taking extra care to ensure the correct handling, cleaning, and storing of the imaging plate will guarantee the best image quality and increase the lifetime of the plate. 
In addition to following the guidelines, we recommend that you use only genuine, original hygiene accessories and imaging plates designed for your system.

Handling:

Imaging plates should be handled with care, holding the object by the edges, back and sides to prevent contamination. Avoid contact with the plate’s blue phosphor side, touching this can affect the plates image quality. You must wear protective hand protection when handling the imaging plates.
Depending on the frequency of use, over time the imaging plates will wear out. When wearing occurs, artifacts may become present on the radiographs.
Handling of the imaging plates must be done in a darkened room that has subdued lighting. It is not necessary to have a completely dark room however, the less light present the better as this reduces the risk of light contamination. Light exposure during handling or scanning can cause artifacts to occur, which impacts the quality of the images and produces poor results.

---

Using the plates:

​When placing the Imaging plate into the disposable hygiene bags, the tube side should be facing the visible cover as this is the side that gets radiated on.

​Cleaning:

You can use a microfibre cloth and a small amount of alcohol rub to clean the imaging plates however, you shouldn’t apply the fluid directly to the plate. You should only do this if dirt and artifacts are visible on the x-ray, if no dirt is present then it is not necessary to clean. Someone at your practice should regularly inspect each imaging plate and replace when worn.

Storage Environment:

​When not in use, all imaging plates should be stored in a protective cover within a sealed hygiene bag to prevent the collection of dust, general contamination, and light damage. As well as reducing light contamination, protective covers also help prevent bending and damage to the imaging plate when in the oral cavity. You do not need to replace the protective covers after each use however, if they start to crease and cause visible artifacts on the x-ray then you should dispose of and replace the current protective cover. We recommend you note the date when you first used each protective cover on the non-tube-side of the protective cover. 

We do not advise the use of damaged imaging plates and would suggest replacement if it is creased, bent, or damaged. To receive the ultimate image quality, it is best advised to replace the imaging plates when permanent dots, scratches or any other artifacts start to show on your radiographs.

Defective imaging plates mustn't be processed in your digital x-ray scanner, this can cause objects to become stuck within the internals of your unit which can cause unexpected downtime for your digital x-ray.

​​If an object is stuck inside your digital x-ray scanner, you should turn the device off and contact our helpdesk to arrange a call out. Dental Dynamix strongly advises you do not to open your digital x-ray scanner or remove any objects yourself; lasers and sensors are very delicate and can easily be damaged.

​Once an image plate has been replaced, please discard the worn imaging plates in accordance with the national regulations regarding non-environmentally friendly or hazardous materials