If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much is an X-ray worth to a clinician’s diagnosis? What you see on the radiograph guides your treatment plan, and poorly taken X-rays with closed contacts and cone cuts can interfere with your clinical success. Guesswork and estimation used to be “givens” in X-ray capture. But now, LunaLite, an automated laser-guided dental X-ray positioner, is set to revolutionize how dental X-rays are taken.
Suzanne Cano, CEO and Founder of LunaLite Dental and former dental assistant, has specialized in dental imaging for nearly three decades. Armed with her experience of the challenges of taking clinically usable X-rays, she designed, patented, and built this user-friendly device. LunaLite incorporates precision engineering to streamline dental x-ray procedures, save time and money, and increase patient safety and comfort.
Clinicians feel stress and frustration from diagnosing with poorly positioned X-rays. We have all struggled to see periapical and bitewing radiographs with poor vertical angulations. While some assistants or hygienists may be able to “eyeball it,” many others can’t — and clinicians don’t have the time or the finances to spend time on the repositioning and retakes to get it right.
LunaLite addresses these issues. The device automates accurate angles — all you need to do is attach the device to the X-ray head (designed to fit around any X-ray cone head), ensure the patient is positioned correctly in the chair, line up the laser light, and take the shot.
Using LunaLite eliminates the need for XCPs, which saves money. XCPs are clumsy and must be assembled, autoclaved, and replaced after being misplaced or warped. Also, LunaLite takes the guesswork out of opening the contacts and positioning for clinicians who rely on the bisecting technique. Here are some key features of LunaLite:
Automated Positioning: The device automates accurate angles. Guided by laser or beep, it streamlines positioning and swift movement through programmed angles in 30 seconds for a full-mouth series (FMX). Additionally, it provides a manual choice for bitewing (BW) and periapical (PA) x-rays.
Precision and Efficiency: Extra chair time wastes money and delays your schedule. LunaLite’s precision in radiology streamlines the imaging process, drastically reducing time spent repositioning and retaking X-rays.
Patient Safety: LunaLite prevents missed shots and overexposure, so it helps to provide the best care and more comfort for every patient.
Easy Sterilization: LunaLite works under the plastic covering and fits most cone-head machines, even mobile ones. Even the display window can be cleaned with alcohol.
Easy to maintain: Charging is simple – unstrap and use USB.
Suzanne Cano added some future aspirations for this technology. “We’ve seen how AI can revolutionize the analytical aspect of dental radiographs, and we’re proud to announce that the LunaLite brand will also incorporate AI into the actual taking of the radiograph!”
As someone devoted to developing groundbreaking new technologies, I have written before about how AI programs to read radiographs change how clinicians practice. AI can only be effective if the X-ray is positioned correctly and captured. LunaLite is an essential step in radiology technology and another step forward in clinicians’ quest for better health outcomes.
About the Author
Lou Shuman is the CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry’s leading corporate incubator and accelerator. He is a venturer in-residence at Harvard’s i-Lab, co-founder of LightForce Orthodontics, a member of the Oral Health advisory board and founder of the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards. He was selected in 2021 by Global Summits Institute one of the World’s Top 100 Doctors.
