Dental Film & Processing Procedures Flashcards
Film
Term for the medium that x-rays will be exposed to.
Radiograph
Term for the film after the film has been exposed x-rays and processed.
Disposable bite block
Styrofoam film Holder has a backing plate in slot for film attention. It’s advantage is that it is disposable and does not need to be sterilized.
Snap a rave
Film holder is a double ended instrument that holds the film between two serrated plastic grips that can be locked into place.
Endoray device
Design for use in radiographs of teeth involving endodontic instruments in the canal.
Uni Bit Device
Beam alignment device
Latent image
The image on the film that is no visible until the film is processed
Intraoral film
Film that is placed inside the mouth during x-ray exposure. The intro oral x-ray film has a motion on both sides of the film instead of just one because it requires less radiation to produce an image.
Two film packet
A package containing two films to permit a copy to be made instantly when it is known that a copy is necessary.
Intraoral film packaging
Typically available in boxes of 25, 100, or 150 film.
What are the boxes of film labeled with?
Type of film, film speed, number of films per individual packets, total number of films in the box, and expiration date.
Identification dot
A small bump on the corner of the film packet that helps with the orientation of the radiographs
Back scattered
Secondary
Intraoral film sizes
Child size 0 Narrow anterior 1 Adult 2 Performed bite wing 3 Occlusal 4
Extraoral film
Found that his place outside the mouth during extra exposure. Extra oral film is used to examine large areas of the head or jaws
What practices is extraoral film more common?
Orthodontics, pediatric, and oral surgery
Film screen system
Film used in combination with intensifying screens
What sizes do extra oral film come in?
5 x 7“ and 8 x 10”
Supplied in boxes of 50 or 100 films
Panoramic film
Shows a panoramic view of the upper and lower jaw is on a single radiograph.
Cephalometric film
Shows the bony and soft tissue areas of the facial profile
Duplicating film
Use only in a dark room setting and it’s never exposed to x-rays
What factors determine film speed?
Size of the silver halide crystals, thickness of the emulsion, presence of special radio sensitive dyes
Density
Darkness
Processing
A series of steps that changes the latent image on the expose film into a radiograph by producing a visible image on the film.
Steps the dental radiograph processing
- Development
- Rinsing
- Fixation
- Washing
- Drying
What are the film processing solution?
Powder, ready to use liquid, and liquid concentrate
Dark room requirements
- Infection control items including gloves, disinfectant spray, and paper towels.
- Container, labeled with the biohazard label, for contaminated film packets or barriers.
- Recycling container for lead foil pieces.
- Processing tanks for the developer and fixer solution, and a circulating water bath.
- Running water with mixing valves to adjust the temperature.
- Both a safe flight and a source of white light
- Accurate timer
- Accurate floating thermometer
- Steering rod or paddles to mix the chemicals and equalize the temperatures of the solution.
- Safe storage space for chemicals
- Film hangers
- Drying rack and film dryer
Manual processing
A method that is used to develop, rent, six, and wash dental x-ray film without an automated machine
Processing tank
A piece of equipment used in the manual processing a film. It is divided into compartments to hold the developer solution, water bath, and fixer solution.
Automatic film processing
Assassin simple method used to process dental x-ray film. Other than opening the film packet, all steps of film processing are handled by the automatic processor
Processor housing
Covers all the component parts
Film feed slot
Used to insert the unwrap film into the automatic processor
Roller film transporter
A system of rollers at rapidly move the film through the compartments
Developer and fixer compartments
Holds the solution
Water compartment
Hold circulating water
Drying chamber
Holds heated air and drives the white film
Why do processing error’s occur?
Time in temperature errors, chemical contamination errors, film handling errors, lighting errors
What errors can occur with underdeveloped film/light?
Developing time to short
Solution to cold or depleted
An accurate timer or thermometer
What are the solution for underdeveloped film/light?
- Check and adjust development time.
- Check developer fluid temperature and levels.
- Replace timer or thermometer.
What errors can occur with overdeveloped film/dark?
- Developing time too long
- Solution to hot or not concentrated enough.
- Inaccurate timer or thermometer.
What is the solution to overdeveloped film/dark?
- Check and adjust development time.
- Check developer fluid temperature and levels.
- Replace timer or thermometer.
What errors can occur with reticulation of emulsion/cracked?
Drastic temperature changes occurred between developer and the water bath.
What is a solution for an error of reticulation of emulsion/cracked?
Check the temperature of the developer and the water bath.
What error can occur with developer spots/dark spots?
Developer touches the film prior to processing.
What is the solution to an error and developer spots/dark spots?
Clean work area in the dark room between processing.
What error can occur with fixer spots/white spots?
Fixer touches the film prior to processing.
What is a solution to an error and fix her spot/white spots?
Clean the work area in the dark room between processing.
What errors can occur with yellow brown stains/yellowish brown color?
Fixing time is too short.
The Fixer is no longer good.
What are the solutions to fix an error for yellow brown stain/yellowish brown color?
Correct the fixing time.
Monitor and change the chemicals as needed.
What errors can occur with developer cut off/straight white border?
A part of the film as above the low level of the developing solution.
Solution for error of developer cut off/straight white border
Check and adjust the fluid levels prior to processing.
Fixer cut off/straight black border errors
A part of the film was above the low level of the fixer solution.
Big Sur cut off/straight black border solution
Check and adjust the fluid levels prior to processing.
Film overlap/light or dark areas error
Two films contacted one another during processing
Film overlap/light or dark areas solution
Ensure films are separated prior to processing.
Air bubbles/white spots errors
Air contacted the film service during processing.
Air bubbles/white spots solution
Gently agitate the film racks when placing film into the solution.
Finger nail Mark/black crescent shaped marks error
Fingernail contracted the film emulsion during processing
Finger nail Mark/black crescent shaped marks solution
Handle only the film edges and gentle manner.
Fingerprint Mark/black fingerprint error
Contaminated finger contacted the film surface.
Fingerprint Mark/black fingerprint solution
Clean hands in touch only the film edges.
Static electricity/black thin branching lines errors
Film packet was open to quickly.
Static electricity/black thin branching lines solution
Slowly open the film packets
Scratched film/white lines error
Soft film emulsion contacted a sharp object
Scratched film/white lines solution
Handle film and film on racks very carefully.
Light leak/black exposed area error
Film was exposed to light.
Light leak/black exposed area solutions
Inspect the film packets for any defects prior to use.
Do not expose an open packets to light.
Fogged film/all over greatest with little to no contrast or detail error
- Safelite malfunction.
- Dark room might have a light leak.
- Old or expired film was used.
- Film was stored improperly.
- Processing solution is contaminated.
Fogged film/all over grayness with little to no contrast or detail solutions
- Check the safe light filter and bulb.
- Inspect the darkroom for light leaks.
- Check the film expiration date.
- Store film in a cool, dry environment.
- Cover the master tank when not in use.
Quality assurance
Systematic monitoring and evaluation of procedures or a facility to ensure a minimum standards are met.
Quality assurance administrative procedures
Description/a written description of the quality assurance plan.
Monitoring/a written monitoring schedule, which should be posted in the office.
Maintenance/a log of all quality assurance test.
Evaluation/a written evaluation plan.
Staff training/ a key to proper x-ray procedures.
Proper quality assurance procedures
Inspecting the dental x-ray machine periodically.
Storing dental x-ray film properly and ensuring that it does not become outdated.
Checking screens and cassettes for dirt and scratches.
Cleaning the boxes to the operator can interpret the x-ray.
Checking dark room lighting for leaks every six months.
Reference radiographs
A reference tool for training in which an ideal radiograph is used to compare against recently taken radiographs to help improve the quality.
Step wedge radiograph
An aluminum device that is used to display a range of exposure intensities on a radiograph
What services are likely to become contaminated during dental x-ray procedures?
X-ray tube head, position indicating device, x-ray control panel, exposure button, lead apron, digital sensor.
How long should disinfectants sit on a surface?
10 minutes
X-ray machine cleaning
The two pad, PID, control panel, and exposure button must all be covered or carefully disinfected.
Lead apron cleaning
The lead apron should be considered contaminated and wipe down with a disinfectant after each use.
Dental chair cleaning
The back and arms of the chair, the headrest, and the hairdresser just met controls must all be covered or disinfected.
Work area cleaning
The work area where the x-ray film and film holding devices are placed exposure should be disinfected, after which a barrier should be placed. This barrier can be a paper sheet, paper towels, or a plastic cover.
What is a major source of cross-contamination during radiographic procedures?
Contaminated film packet.
How do you decontaminate film packets?
Wipe saliva from the film packet using a dry 2 x 2” gas sponge or paper towel. Do not attempt to sterilize the film packet with heat sterilization it will destroy the image.
