If you wear glasses, then you can appreciate the immediate improvement in vision that a pair of spectacles makes.

That’s the analogy Dr. Michael Fernandez uses when describing the image quality of Schick CDR compared to Schick 33—the clarity is so sharp that it’s like putting on a pair of glasses.

In the Beginning

When Dr. Fernandez (Virginia Beach, VA) took his practice digital in 2007, he purchased Schick CDR sensors. While he was satisfied with Schick CDR, it wasn’t until seeing Schick 33 that he knew it was time to upgrade.

“When I viewed Schick 33 images, I knew the quality had increased dramatically. I never had problems with the CDR, but one of the wires was starting to get loose on a sensor. Rather than repair or replace it, I thought it made sense to upgrade,” he explained.

Patient Case

Michael Fernandez Family Dentistry saw a pediatric patient for a routine exam in 2011. X-rays from the CDR showed small spots on a tooth, and Dr. Fernandez advised the family to seek preventive treatment.

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Fast forward three years, when the same patient returned—now 10 years old and without having the initial recommended treatment—and had new x-rays taken with Schick 33. The images revealed the spots on that tooth were now large lesions, requiring an extraction and root canal.

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Dr. Fernandez compared the CDR and Schick 33 bitewing images, noting that the details on the CDR were not crisp, but on Schick 33 they are clear and apparent.

“With Schick 33, it’s almost like putting on your glasses,” he said. “Patients can see it, too. Schick 33 produces a more defined image so you can see bone patterns, nerve anatomy, cavity and sinus location—it’s easier to point out issues. With CDR images, I still had to supplement my treatment plan with a drawing. Schick 33 images are much better.”

Even today, Dr. Fernandez goes back from time to time to compare patients’ intraoral images and says the difference in resolution is almost unbelievable. He said that image quality is the best part about Schick 33, followed by the enhancement tools. He often uses the Eaglesoft exposure tool and the endodontic pre-set.

“I usually tell people that the best thing I ever did for my practice is implement digital radiography,” Dr. Fernandez said. “And now when we show patients X-rays with Schick 33, they can see the issues on the images and more light bulbs go off.”

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