Tru-Align Positioning System: An Accurate Way to Take Intraoral X-Ray Images?

Dr. V. asks:
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One of the problems I have to deal with on a daily basis is that many of the assistants in our multi-dentist office cannot take radiographs. Unfortunately, some of them worked in offices where they were only required to get a part of the tooth in question in the radiograph. I consistently have to re-shoot radiographs or have one of the more experienced assistants re-shoot. This slows me down considerably and wastes a lot of chair time. Patients also get upset when they have to have another dose of radiation. One of my colleagues has started using the Tru-Align Positioning System which has a rectangular collimator at the end of the cone and uses visual and auditory signals to verify that everything is in the correct position. Has anybody tried out this system? I am willing to invest in it if it works, but I’m interested in any real-life data?

Editor’s Note: According to the manufacturer of Tru-Align:

“Tru-Align is a new position-indicating device (PID) collimator that helps correctly position intraoral x-ray units and eliminates guesswork by automatically signaling when perfect alignment has been achieved during the x-ray making process…Tru-Align is a cost-effective, fast and incredibly accurate way to take all intraoral x-ray images – whether using film, phosphor plates or digital sensors. In addition to virtually eliminating cone cuts and most retake needs, Tru-Align can be used to train your staff on how to take precise intraoral x-ray images – the first time, every time.”

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Comments

7 Responses to “Tru-Align Positioning System: An Accurate Way to Take Intraoral X-Ray Images?”

  1. Randall G. Cohen, DDS on September 5th, 2008 12:55 pm

    I have used this device successfully in my office. It locks the cone onto the positioning ring so that overlapping or cone cutting is not possible, and provides an audible verification (it beeps continuously as long as the cone remains lined up properly….it’s done with a magnet.)

    It gives us clearer images and does not scatter radiation as much as a circular cone would, is useful for regular and digital radiography, and I enthusiastically endorse it.

    Insofar as there are many different kinds of xray units, it would seem as though a more universal adaptor would be an improvement, and it is my understanding that the company is doing that as well as bringing down the cost.

    Hope this helps….

    Randall

  2. Michael R. Razzano, D.D.S. on September 5th, 2008 1:38 pm

    The very enthusiastic response to Tru-Align has motivated our team to develop a “universal” model, one that adapts to any x-ray generator. The new unit will be available early in 2009, can be installed even easier and faster than the current model, and will cost less. The proprietary, patented “alignment technology” will be the same, as will the ease of use.

    A dental school professor mentioned how effective Tru-Align is for trainign inexperienced dental assistants, a benefit very significant for those of us who practiced dentistry. Staff turn-over and the need for training new staff in accurate radiographic techniques is time consumming and may involve sending the staff memeber off for training. The Tru-Align, with it’s alignment indicator system,provides a tool for training even inexperienced dental team memebers in about an hour.

  3. John Schwartz on September 5th, 2008 2:23 pm

    For more detailed information on the Tru-Align you can go to: www.idixray.com

  4. Michael V. Razzano, DDS on September 5th, 2008 8:40 pm

    I am the son of the founder of IDI (the manufacturer of Tru-Align) so I may be a little biased. But, we have been using the Tru-Align system in my practice for approx 6 months and have found that it is very simple to use, the assistants pick it up quickly, and we have greatly reduced retaking x-rays- you really cannot get a more simplified way of attaining diagnostic quality x-rays from assistants with varying skills at this. Plus, you decrease the amount fo radiation the patient is exposed to.

  5. Marvin Fier on September 6th, 2008 1:29 pm

    Dear Dr. V,

    Your problem is one shared by many of us. I have used the IDI Tru-Align system and am happy to share some reactions and impressions. First and most important to you, it is a breakthrough technology that can minimize x-ray retakes, save chair time, and give us better image quality while decreasing radiation to our patients. Since I received my system, there have been advancements made in the technology which will make it even better than it already is. The learning curve is a short one so long as the staff pays attention to the instructions… something many don’t like to do.

    ALSO…keep in mind that with rectangular collimation, you are providing a far safer service than with round collimation. As you know, a rectangular cone corresponds more exactly to the shape of the receptor (film or sensor), but a round cone blasts tissue unnecessarily. The Tru-Align from IDI can convert the round openings of your x-ray machines to rectangular ones. As stated in a past issue of JADA, “The tissue area (and volume) exposed to the primary X-ray beam should not exceed the minimum coverage consistent with meeting diagnostic requirements and clinical feasibility.”

    FINALLY, if you haven’t yet seen them, the National Council on Radiation Protection issued new guidelines in December, 2003 (NCRP report No. 145) and I’m certain these will become the standard of care in the near future. They state “Rectangular collimation of the beam shall be used routinely for periapical radiography. Each dimension of the beam, measured in the plane of the image receptor should not exceed the dimension of the image receptor by more than 2 per cent of the source-to-image receptor distance. Similar collimation shall be used, when feasible, for interproximal (bitewing) radiography.”

    Dr. V…I applaud your desire to address the retake problem in your multi-doctor office. The Tru-Align sysytem may be the answer you’re looking for.

    Yours for better patient care,
    Marvin A. Fier, DDS, FASDA, ABAD
    Executive VP, American Society for Dental Aesthetics
    Pomona Prof. Plaza - 972 Route 45
    Pomona, NY 10970
    Tel: 845-354-4300 Fax: 845-354-0015
    www.drfierdds.com

  6. Kenneth Kornblum, D.D.S. on September 16th, 2008 9:56 pm

    Tru-Align System is one of those rare products that is so good at what it does and does exactly what it claims to do, that the tendency is say it’s too good to be true. Well, I’ve used this product and I assure you, this is the real thing!

    In my forty years of practice I have tried everything on the market to get high quality radiographs. I have personally trained staff, I have spent many resource hours and money on technique courses and have had to “settle” for cone-cuts, foreshortenings, missed apices, etc. Round cone collimation has been a frustration in terms of re-takes and patient discomfort and dissatisfaction, poor image quality, poor angulation and excess radiation exposure.

    Finally, here is a system that eliminates all of that frustration. It is so simple and foolproof that even the dentist can take perfectly exposed radiographs every time – perfect every time! Not only is it fail-safe there’s no learning curve, no angles to adjust and no patient/chair adjustments. The system does it all for you and you know you have perfect alignment when the lights flash and buzzer sounds.

    I know, I didn’t believe it either – until I tried it. The savings in training, time, retakes and frustration pays for this small investment in no time. And won’t you be happy in knowing that your diagnosis is based on high quality, distortion-free radiographic evidence every single time?

    Ken Kornblum, DDS

  7. Dr. Joe Blaes on September 21st, 2008 6:14 pm

    In the September 2008 issue of JADA, there is an article about in amount of radiation that our patients receive from taking radiographs. I urge you to read it. One of the recommendatons to cut down on the radiation is the utilization of rectangular columnation to dramatically reduce the radiation to the patient. However, the main problem with rectangular columnation is directing the tube head so that we get quality radiographs and avoid retakes.

    The IDI Tru-Align system is the answer. I have had the system in my office for over two years and am thrilled with the quality of the radiographs that my team produces - both film and digital. I mounted the Tru-Align to the tube head and was going to show my lead hygienist how to use the system. She pushed me away and said she knew how to do it. She immediately begain to produce high quality radiographs. There is virtually no learning curve with this system if the assistant or hygienist know how to take films or digital radiographs.

    I urge everyone to become familiar with this system so that the profession can once and for all reduce the unnecessary radiation to our patients and our team.

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