chpt 22

Production and Evaluation

of Dental Radiographs

Chapter 22

Producing Quality

Radiographs

• Preparing for exposure
• During film exposure
• Patient exposure
• After exposure

Types of Film Exposures

• Periapical
• Bite-wing
• Occlusal

Intraoral Techniques

• Bisecting technique

– Central ray

•

Aligned perpendicular to imaginary line

•

Bisects angle created by length of tooth and film
packet

Bisecting Technique

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Intraoral Techniques

• Paralleling technique

– Film packet and long axis of teeth must be

parallel

– Central ray is positioned perpendicular to

parallel line formed by teeth and film

Intraoral Techniques

• Full mouth survey

– Adults require 14 periapical and four bite-

wing

Intraoral Techniques

• Bite-wing series

– Routine part of dental exam
– May be taken as horizontal or vertical films

• Which technique is most commonly used

for routine radiographic examinations?
– Paralleling technique

Positioning for Maxillary Arch

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Positioning for Maxillary Arch

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Positioning for Maxillary Arch

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Positioning for Maxillary Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Positioning for Mandibular

Arch

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Producing Special

Radiographs

• Occlusal
• Pediatric
• Edentulous
• Endodontic
• Special needs

• Why might the dentist order a edentulous

radiographic survey?
– To visualize cysts, impacted teeth, retained

root tips, bone fragments, other pathological
conditions, and anatomical landmarks

Processing Quality

Radiographs

• Manual processing

– Equipment
– Preparation
– Technique
– Solutions

Processing Quality

Radiographs

• Automatic processing

– Solutions
– Care of machine

Mounting Radiographs

• Labial mounting
• Lingual mounting

Common Exposure Errors

• Distortion

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Common Exposure Errors

• Elongation

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Common Exposure Errors

• Foreshortening

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Common Exposure Errors

• Overlapping

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Common Exposure Errors

• Cone cutting

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Common Exposure Errors

• Clear film/Absence of image

– May not have been exposed
– Disruption of exposure routine
– Film may have been placed in fixer first or a

warm water rinse

Common Exposure Errors

• Double exposure

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Common Exposure Errors

• Blurred image

– Movement of patients head, tubehead, or

film in the mouth

Common Exposure Errors

• Underexposed film

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Common Exposure Errors

• Overexposed film

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Common Exposure Errors

• Film artifact

– Forgetting to remove appliances or jewelry
– Transfer of fluoride ions from gloves to film
– Overlapping during processing
– Fingernail marks due to rough handling

Common Exposure Errors

• Radiopaque film

images

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Common Exposure Errors

• Backward film

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• If the patient moves the head while an x-

ray is being processed, what may occur
to the radiograph?
– The image may be blurred

Film Processing Errors

• Light film

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Film Processing Errors

• Dark film

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Film Processing Errors

• Fogged film

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Film Processing Errors

• Partial image

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Film Processing Errors

• spotted film
• Torn or scratched film
• Air bubbles on film
• Reticulation
• Streaks

• If a film appears dried with tiny cracks,

what may have happened?
– Reticulation

•

Exposure to high temperature followed by low
temperature

Duplicating Radiographs

• Need to send to specialists
• Created in darkroom
• Need duplicating film or machine

Storage of Patient

Radiographs

• Stored in treatment record
• Length of storage based on state regulations

Legal Implications

• Part of patient record
• Property of dentist

Radiation Risk
Communication

• Discuss risk and benefits with patient
• Patient education
• May be specific state regulations

Quality Assurance

• Darkroom

– Filters coincide with film
– White light leak prevention

•

Perform “coin test”

• X-ray machine

– Solution, water temp, and processing time

• Keep log book