What TWAIN or bridge does my sensor need?

Key facts

What's the difference between a direct driver, TWAIN and a bridge?

• Direct (native) driver. The PMS imaging module talks to the sensor's SDK. Dentrix lists many sensors as "supported directly," sometimes under a generic acquisition device name such as "e2v" or "Hamamatsu" (Dentrix Help).
• TWAIN driver. A standard image-acquisition interface supplied by the sensor maker. Open Dental's Imaging module uses it for sensors and requires the 32-bit version (Open Dental).
• Software bridge (program link). The PMS launches the device maker's own imaging program for the current patient. Open Dental calls these program bridges and recommends a BAA with the third party because many store PHI (Open Dental).

Direct is usually the smoothest. TWAIN is the most universal but varies by driver. A bridge keeps images in the device maker's software, which matters for 3D volumes and for later migrations.

Which driver does each sensor use in Dentrix?

From Dentrix Help's supported acquisition device list (Dentrix Help):

Dentrix's own notes on Tuxedo dates conflict (one says pre-2019 units are Hamamatsu, another says units made in or before 2019 are e2v), so ask LED Dental which yours is.

What does Eaglesoft need?

Eaglesoft 24.2+ integrates the devices on Patterson's list directly. DEXIS Platinum and Titanium go through Gendex GxPicture (Patterson 2647). For Schick, the key change is IOSS:

• Eaglesoft 24.20 and later requires Schick IOSS (Intraoral Sensor Software) integration for Schick 33, AE and Elite.
• Schick WIFI, PlusWire, CDR (Phoenix) and Wireless aren't supported on 24.20 and later.
• Schick sensors over Terminal Services are no longer possible on 24.20+, because IOSS doesn't support it.
• IOSS replaced the CDR interface after Dentsply Sirona ended CDR DICOM support on December 31, 2024.

All four points are from Patterson 44369. If you stay on an older Eaglesoft with old sensors, you miss security updates; if you upgrade without compatible sensors, you can't acquire new images in Eaglesoft.

What does Open Dental need?

Open Dental's Imaging module works with sensors through 32-bit TWAIN drivers, and no separate imaging program is required (Open Dental imaging). Setup details from its manual (Open Dental):

• Device type: "Twain Radiograph" for individual sensors; "Twain Multi" for systems that send groups of images, such as phosphor plate scanners.
• Show Twain UI: check it; Open Dental's sensor page says to set the TWAIN software to single capture so control returns after each image (Open Dental sensors).
• DEXIS with GxTwain: the device Description must include the word "Dexis," or images go into mounts in reverse order.
• Troubleshooting: test the driver in Twacker. If it fails there too, the problem is the device or driver.

Open Dental's user-reported list includes Acuity, Apex, Carestream RVG, Jazz, NewTom, QuickRay, Schick, Vatech, XDR, Air Techniques ScanX, DentiMax, Digital Doc Blu, Gendex (contact Dexis), Tuxedo and Woodpecker. It notes Dentsply Sirona discontinued support for some Schick drivers as of 12/31/2024 and flags known issues with iRay and XVDental drivers (Open Dental sensors).

If you'd rather use the sensor maker's software, Open Dental offers bridges to Apteryx/XVWeb, Carestream, Dexis, DTX Studio, EzDent-i (Vatech), i-Dixel, MiPACS, Romexis/Planmeca, Sidexis, TigerView, VixWin (Gendex), XDR and others (Open Dental bridges). Dentsply Sirona says Sidexis includes a free PMS interface, though the PMS vendor may charge (Dentsply Sirona).

How do I document drivers so the next IT company can support them?

Record for each sensor: model, serial, driver type (direct, TWAIN or bridge), driver version, 32- or 64-bit, the workstation it's installed on, and the PMS version. Keep the installer files and any license keys in the practice's name. The free equipment inventory & appraisal report (coming soon) is planned to hold these fields, and the free device compatibility checker (coming soon) is planned to flag mismatches before you upgrade. FloorStack Studio (live, free plan) maps which operatory workstation each sensor plugs into. See imaging compatibility by PMS, sensor compatibility and who owns dental office passwords.

How FloorStack helps

FloorStack is a dental build-out platform that keeps imaging records with the practice, not the vendor. FloorStack Studio (live, free plan) maps sensors to workstations. The device compatibility checker and equipment inventory & appraisal report are free tools coming soon. Back to the Dental Equipment Inventory hub.

Free tools for this step

• Device compatibility checker (free tool, coming soon): check sensors, CBCT, pano and PMS bridges before you buy.
• Equipment inventory & appraisal report (free tool, coming soon): build an equipment inventory with warranties and an appraisal-ready report.
• FloorStack Studio (live, free plan): a 3D IT plan of your office with every device placed.