Complications in Dental Radiology Flashcards
Why do complications in dental radiology occur?
Because of improper exposure, positioning, and developing
What happens if the film sensor is placed too close to the tooth?
The film or sensor’s “real estate” being wasted
What causes blurred or double images?
Movement of either the patient or the x-ray machine head
How does a double image occur?
When the film is in one position for part of the exposure and then moved to a second position for the remainder of the exposure
What has likely occurred if the image appears elongated?
The cone head was probably aimed too directly at the subject
The film was placed incorrectly
How do you correct elongation?
Check the film placement
Aim the machine head more toward the film
What has likely occurred if the image appears foreshortened?
The cone-head may have been aimed too directly at the radiographic film or sensor
Improper positioning of the film
When taking radiographs of the roots of the maxillary fourth premolar palatal and mesiobuccal roots, a second film is taken. What is the SLOB rule that is used to capture a good image of this tooth and its roots?
The most lingual (palatal) root will move in the same direction on the radiograph as the cone head was repositioned. If the cone head is moved forward, the lingual root will be the root that moves forward
If the backside of the sensor electronics or no image occurs, how do you correct it?
Turn over the sensor
If there is a missing tooth in the image, how do you correct it?
Reposition the sensor or machine cone
If the image is blurry, how do you correct it?
Make sure the patient is not moving
Make sure the radiographic unit is not moving
If the image is underexposed, how do you correct it?
Increase exposure time or decrease distance
If the image is overexposed, how do you correct it?
Decrease exposure time or add distance
If there is cervical burnout, how do you correct it?
Take multiple exposures at multiple timings
If the film is out of dynamic range, how do you correct it?
Take multiple exposures
If there is no exposure, how do you correct it?
Was the button held down long enough? Were the lights on? Make sure the unit is plugged in Check fuses Check digital sensor (is it backward) Reboot computer
If there is foreshadowing present, how do you correct it?
Reposition the machine cone to aim more at the sensor
What are the four simple rules for positioning?
Make sure you are aiming at the subject and sensor
Do not take a radiograph of the air
If the image is elongated, aim at the sensor
If the image is foreshortened, aim at the subject
It is important the image contains how much bone around the apex?
2 to 3 mm
What is Dynamic range?
The difference between the least and most amount of radiation that can be recorded on the sensor
What happens if dynamic range is exceeded?
One part of the image is overexposed and another is underexposed
