film mounting and viewing

Question 1

what is mounting?

Answer 1

to place in an appropriate setting, as for display or study

Question 2

what is film mounting in dental radiography?

Answer 2

placement of radiographs in a supporting structure or holder

Question 3

what is a film mount?

Answer 3

• may be cardboard, plastic or vinyl
• used to support and arrange dental radiographs in anatomic order
• may be opaque or clear; an opaque mount masks surrounding light (preferred)
• available in many sizes and configurations

Question 4

who mounts films?

Answer 4

• any trained dental professional is qualified may mount films

Question 5

when and where are films mounted?

Answer 5

• should be mounted after processing

- requires a clean, dry, light-coloured work surface in front of an illuminator or viewbox

Question 6

why use a film mount?

Answer 6

• quicker and easier to view and interpret
• easily strode and available for interpretation
• decreases chances of error in determining the patient’s left and right side
• decreases handling of individual films and prevents damage to emulsion
• masks illumination adjacent to individual radiographs, thus aids interpretation

Question 7

what information is placed on a film mount?

Answer 7

• patient’s full name
• date of exposure
• dentist’s name

Question 8

are film mounts used with digital imaging?

Answer 8

yes

• most digital imaging systems allow the dental radiographer to choose the appropriate-size mount
• the mounts should be labeled with the patient’s full name and date of exposure

Question 9

normal anatomy and film mounting

Answer 9

• identification of landmarks helps distinguish maxillary periapical films from mandibular periapical films

Question 10

film mounting methods

Answer 10

• an identification dot is located in one corner of each intraoral film packet
• all dots must face the same direction when mounted

Question 11

labial mounting

Answer 11

• our convention is the dot is raised when viewing as if you are looking directly at the patient
• ‘a pimple not a dimple’

Question 12

lingual mounting

Answer 12

• films are viewed as if you are standing on the patient’s tongue - no longer recommended
• view as if in the pt mouth

Question 13

step-by-step procedure for film mounting

Answer 13

• put a clean paper towel over the work surface in front of the viewbox
• turn on the viewbox
• label and date the film mount
• wash and dry hands
• examine each radiograph, identify the dot, and place each film with the dot up
• sort films into bite-wings with both maxillary and mandibular teeth, vertical anterior periapicals, and horizontal posterior periapicals
• arrange the films on the work surface in anatomic order
• place each film in the mount and secure it
• check the radiographs

Question 14

what is film viewing?

Answer 14

the examination of dental radiographs

Question 15

who views films?

Answer 15

• all members of the dental team may interpret radiographs

- it is the responsibility of the dentist to establish a final or definitive interpretation and diagnosis

Question 16

what equipment is required for film viewing?

Answer 16

• light source: should be large enough to accommodate a variety of mounted films; the light should be of uniform intensity and evenly diffused; viewbox or illuminator
• magnification: a magnifying gland may help in interpretation

Question 17

when and where are films viewed?

Answer 17

• immediately after mounting to verify the correct arrangement of the films in the mount
• best viewed in a room with dim light

Question 18

examine films for:

Answer 18

• unerupted, missing, and impacted teeth
• dental caries and the size and shape of the pulp cavities
• bony changes, the level of alveolar bone, and calculus
• roots and periapical areas
• remaining areas

Question 19

helpful hints**

Answer 19

• use a viewbox; avoid holding films up to light
• do block out light around the film
• use a magnifying glass
• view films immediately after mounting
• view under optimal conditions
• use a definite order to view films
• record findings in the patient record