Complications in Dental Radiology

Question 1

Why do complications in dental radiology occur?

Answer 1

Because of improper exposure, positioning, and developing

Question 2

What happens if the film sensor is placed too close to the tooth?

Answer 2

The film or sensor’s “real estate” being wasted

Question 3

What causes blurred or double images?

Answer 3

Movement of either the patient or the x-ray machine head

Question 4

How does a double image occur?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What has likely occurred if the image appears elongated?

Answer 5

The cone head was probably aimed too directly at the subject
The film was placed incorrectly

Question 6

How do you correct elongation?

Answer 6

Check the film placement

Aim the machine head more toward the film

Question 7

What has likely occurred if the image appears foreshortened?

Answer 7

The cone-head may have been aimed too directly at the radiographic film or sensor
Improper positioning of the film

Question 8

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?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

If the backside of the sensor electronics or no image occurs, how do you correct it?

Answer 9

Turn over the sensor

Question 10

If there is a missing tooth in the image, how do you correct it?

Answer 10

Reposition the sensor or machine cone

Question 11

If the image is blurry, how do you correct it?

Answer 11

Make sure the patient is not moving

Make sure the radiographic unit is not moving

Question 12

If the image is underexposed, how do you correct it?

Answer 12

Increase exposure time or decrease distance

Question 13

If the image is overexposed, how do you correct it?

Answer 13

Decrease exposure time or add distance

Question 14

If there is cervical burnout, how do you correct it?

Answer 14

Take multiple exposures at multiple timings

Question 15

If the film is out of dynamic range, how do you correct it?

Answer 15

Take multiple exposures

Question 16

If there is no exposure, how do you correct it?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

If there is foreshadowing present, how do you correct it?

Answer 17

Reposition the machine cone to aim more at the sensor

Question 18

What are the four simple rules for positioning?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

It is important the image contains how much bone around the apex?

Answer 19

2 to 3 mm

Question 20

What is Dynamic range?

Answer 20

The difference between the least and most amount of radiation that can be recorded on the sensor

Question 21

What happens if dynamic range is exceeded?

Answer 21

One part of the image is overexposed and another is underexposed