WorksheetsDental Radiology — Quick Review Questions
Total questions: 31
Worksheet time: 20mins
What does ALARA mean in dental radiology safety?
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
As Long As Radiation Allowed
All Levels Are Reduced Always
Average Level And Rate Acceptable
Which statement best distinguishes bitewing from periapical radiographs?
Bitewings show the crowns and check for interproximal cavities; periapicals show the entire tooth including the root and surrounding bone
Bitewings show the whole tooth to the apex; periapicals show only the crowns
Bitewings are extraoral images; periapicals are panoramic images
Bitewings are 3D scans; periapicals are cephalometric views
Which description correctly contrasts radiolucent and radiopaque areas on dental images?
Radiolucent areas appear dark and indicate less dense structures; radiopaque areas appear white and indicate denser structures
Radiolucent areas appear white and indicate dense bone; radiopaque areas appear dark and indicate soft tissue
Radiolucent and radiopaque areas are identical in shade but differ by texture
Radiolucent areas are only seen on panoramic images; radiopaque areas are only intraoral
Why is a lead apron used during dental x‑rays?
To reduce patient dose by shielding the torso, including reproductive organs
To keep the patient warm during the procedure
To sharpen image details by focusing the x‑ray beam
To prevent the sensor from moving during exposure
What most commonly causes a cone cut on a dental radiograph?
Misaligned PID so the x‑ray beam misses part of the image receptor
Excessive exposure time
The patient swallowing during exposure
Using too high a kilovoltage peak
What should you do if a dental x‑ray image is blurry?
Retake the image after stabilizing the patient and receptor to prevent movement
Increase the exposure time by 50% and keep the same positioning
Switch to a panoramic image instead of intraoral imaging
Proceed with diagnosis since blur does not affect interpretation
Which intraoral technique is considered the most accurate for periapical imaging?
Paralleling technique
Bisecting technique
Cephalometric technique
Panoramic sweep technique
What does the thyroid collar protect during dental x‑rays?
The thyroid gland in the neck
The eyes only
The enamel of the teeth
The carpal bones of the wrist
How far should an operator stand during exposure if not behind a wall?
At least 6 feet away from the source or behind a protective barrier
Within 2 feet to guide the sensor by hand
Exactly 10 feet away in any direction
Right next to the tubehead to monitor positioning
What happens if the patient moves during exposure, and what is the appropriate response?
The image becomes blurred; use a holder and instruct the patient to remain still, then retake
The image becomes too dark; reduce milliamperage and proceed
A cone cut results; widen the collimator and keep the image
There is no effect when using digital sensors; keep the image
With digital imaging, it is impossible to overexpose the patient to radiation because the computer makes adjustments to the image.
True
False
The inverse square law describes the relationship between __ and __.
kVp and exposure
mAs and exposure
distance and beam intensity
kVp and beam intensity
You have just purchased a new cassette with rare-earth screens. Which of the following is true?
You should have a blue light in the darkroom
You should have a dark red light in the darkroom
You should use blue-sensitive film
You should use a green light in the darkroom
In film radiography, calcium tungstate screens:
Fluoresce in the green spectrum
Fluoresce in the blue spectrum
Require a blue safelight in the darkroom
Are more efficient than rare earth screens
The distance between the x-ray focal spot and the image receptor is the:
OID
SID
MF
SOD
Whenever magnification is increased:
spatial resolution is decreased
spatial resolution is increased
spatial resolution stays the same
exposure to the image receptor increases
An older film radiograph appears to have yellow-brown staining - what is the likely cause?
Incomplete drying of the film
Incomplete washing of the fixer from the film
Leaving the film in developer for too long
Storing a film at too hot of a temperature
Which of the following processing factors may cause a developed film radiograph to be too dark?
Diluted fixer solution
Low developer temperature
Over-concentrated developer solution
Contaminated developer solution
What is the purpose of intraoral imaging examinations?
To examine large areas of the maxilla or mandible
To inspect teeth and intraoral adjacent structures
To examine the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth
To examine the entire tooth (from crown to root) and supporting bone
The radiographic misrepresentation of either the size (magnification) or the shape of the anatomic part is called
distortion
density
contrast
sharpness
Which of the following statements is TRUE about x-ray film cassettes?
It can be made of any plastic as long as it is bendable
The film can be held loosely within the cassette as long as it is light-tight
It must be sturdy and have a strong reliable closure
It is designed to absorb scatter radiation
What is the primary type of energy used in X-ray imaging?
Sound waves
Magnetic fields
Ionizing radiation
Radiofrequency waves
Often a patient cannot be turned into the prone position for a PA axial projection of the skull (Caldwell method). What central-ray angle would be used if the AP axial projection is used instead?
10 degrees caudal
15 degrees cephalic
10-15 degrees caudal
10-15 degrees cephalic
What is the purpose of the intensifying screen in film radiography?
Enhance film density
Convert primary x-ray photons to light photons
Convert primary x-ray photons to scatter radiation
Increase the amount of radiation needed to make a diagnostic radiograph
What is the technique used for interproximal examination?
Paralleling and bisecting
Occlusal technique
Bite-wing technique
Panoramic technique
What is the term for the technique that delivers a high dose of radiation to a specific target within the brain while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue?
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Fractionated radiotherapy
Proton therapy
Brachytherapy
Where does the central ray enter for the AP axial projection of the TMJ?
at the nasion
1in above nasion
2in above nasion
3in above nasion
A noninvasive technique using x-rays and a computer to visualize transverse planes of body tissue are ______________.
CT scans
mammograms
X-rays
Angiography
An intensifying screen that contains large crystals of calcium produces which of the following characteristics?
Slow screen, more detail, low grain
Fast screen, more detail, high grain
Slow screen, less detail, low grain
Fast screen, less detail, high grain
Which of the following processing factors may cause a developed film radiograph to be too dark?
Diluted fixer solution
Low developer temperature
Over-concentrated developer solution
Contaminated developer solution
During a CT scan, what does the machine do?
Stays still while the patient moves through a tunnel.
Moves around the patient's body in a circle.
Uses sound waves to create images.
Generates a magnetic field around the patient.
