Product Evaluation

Where there’s a sensor cord, there’s a nuisance—not just for the patient, who feels the cord hanging from their mouth, but also for the clinician, who wrangles with the cord as it gets in the way. When patients inadvertently yank on the cord, disruption and breakage can become a problem. To top it off, it’s hardly worth the trouble when the images are less than accurate.

Tired of “having a cable that our young patients can grab and break,” Dr. Vincent Rothe was searching for a cordless sensor that would integrate with his software. He was thrilled to discover the DC-Air wireless sensor from Freedom Technologies Group (FTG). DC-Air brings revolutionary features to digital dentistry with its direct conversion that produces superior image quality and sensor durability. And with wireless technology, the hazards of cords and sensors are a thing of the past.

“The cordless feature has been fantastic” for Dr. Rothe, who attributes the “very crisp” images to DC-Air’s monitoring of exposure parameters. “The sensor integrates flawlessly with our software, and the IT support from FTG has been extraordinary,” he added. “The consensus at the office is that it was an excellent purchase, as it has made our processes easier.”

Wireless Technology & Durability

According to FTG, DC-Air is the world’s first Blue­tooth wireless dental X-ray sensor. Its unique design eliminates fragile internal components, making it a convenient and durable solution for digital radiography. “The DC-Air sensors are much more comfortable in patients’ mouths and don’t have the drag of the cord like wired sensors,” reported Dr. Ronan Freyne. Dr. Dorsey Baker appreciates that “there’s no cord to trip over or pull out of the sensor,” and Dr. Rebecca Foss said her team and patients love not having a cord on the sensor.

After replacing his unreliable digital sensors with DC-Air, Dr. Alireza Assadian no longer worries about wires or connection issues. “Being wireless and using Bluetooth technology makes it our favorite sensor,” he said. After over a year, Dr. Rothe said he has had “no issues with the battery or the Bluetooth signal disconnecting.”

Image Accuracy

Unlike conventional digital sensors with scintilla­tor and optical plate layers that can distort images and leave sensors prone to breakage, DC-Air is engineered with a revolutionary technology that produces distinctly accurate images and superior sensor durability. Available in a universal size, DC-Air is compatible with most size 2 sensor holder/alignment systems.

“Our previous sensors were over 10 years old, and the quality of the images was not very good,” shared Dr. Foss. After “testing all the big-name sensors,” she declared, “DC-Air has hands down the best quality image.” She replaced her old sensors with DC-Air, which “produces much better quality images that are sharp and make it easier to diagnose.” After “transitioning from traditional x-rays to digital,” Dr. Shelby Esry said, “DC-Air provides great imaging and better documentation. Clarity is top notch.” For Dr. Baker, “DC-Air provides better radio­graphic images than our PSP plates. I can see decay at a much smaller level, and the clear images make it easier for patients to see what we’re seeing.”

“DC-Air gives us clear and accurate x-rays, which reduces chair time and in­creases patient comfort,” said Dr. Assadian, who suggested that a smaller size sensor would be beneficial for pediatric patients. For Dr. Freyne, “It significantly improved the diagnostic quality of our digital images,” resulting in fewer retakes. “I’m proud of how our x-rays look now, especially when sending them to referring doctors. We could not achieve this with our [previous] sensors.”

Ease of Use & Integration

DC-Air integrates with most TWAIN-enabled dental imaging software. The docking station completes the wireless workflow, eliminating USB cord wear, securing the connection, and providing smart charging features.

Praising “the convenience of the prac­tice workflow,” Dr. Esry shares 2 DC-Air sensors among 4 operatories by having docks in each room. After a short learn­ing curve, Dr. Paul Beyt found integration “seamless,” and Dr. Freyne called it “quick and easy to use for day-to-day bitewings.”

Explaining how DC-Air improves his workflow, Dr. Baker said, “The images appear on the screen fast, so if another view is needed, it can be done right away.” Dr. Assadian noted, “The setup and installation were very easy, thanks to the FTG team, which made sure our team was fully trained.”

Overall Satisfaction

Explaining that “software support is great,” Dr. Baker noted, “FTG really cares about finding the solution the first time.” Dr. Freyne concluded, “DC-Air is the best purchase I’ve made for the practice in many years. I wish I’d done it sooner.”