radiography

Question 1

What are some ways to optimize patient safety?

Answer 1

• Confirm patient ID
• Limit patient exposure
• Offer shielding
• Get it right the first time
• Correct settings ALARA
• Only those who need to be there
• Use carer if required
• Tube head still (don’t hold)
• Operator 2m from pt
• Ensure machine has been serviced

Question 2

What other things might we need to consider while taking xrays?

Answer 2

• knowledge of/ possibility of pregnancy
• time since last xray
• patient comfort

Question 3

Where must the xray arm be placed when not in use

Answer 3

Facing towards the ground

Question 4

How can we ensure the patient is still while we take the xray?

Answer 4

• Tell them to look at a stationary object
• Watch them throughout the entire exposure
• Stop exposure immediately if the patient moves

Question 5

What are some techniques for managing patients having xrays

Answer 5

• Inform patient what you are doing
• explain procedure
• instruct patient to breath
• take charge
• give feedback
• choose a good phosphor plate size

Question 6

Describe the features of a posterior bite wing xray

Answer 6

• intraoral xray
• shows teeth of 2 quadrants (upper and lowers)
• shows crowns of 6-8 teeth

Question 7

What can a posterior bitewing xray be used to detect?

Answer 7

• bone levels (particularly horizontal bone loss)
• caries
• pathology
• calculus spurs
• secondary caries
• overhangs

Question 8

Describe the features of a periapical xray.

Answer 8

• intraoral xray
• shows teeth of 1 quadrant
• shows crown and root of 3ish teeth
• shows apical area

Question 9

What can a periapical xray be used to detect?

Answer 9

• trauma
• root positioning for extractions
• vertical bone loss
• pulpotomies
• calculus deposits

Question 10

Describe the features of an orthopantomamagram

Answer 10

• extraoral xray
• shows full dentition

Question 11

What can an orthopantomamagram be used to detect?

Answer 11

• Wisdom teeth
• Trauma
• Supernumerary teeth
• Orthodontic treatment
• Position of erupting permanent teeth
• Pathology
• TMJ/sinus problems
• generalised bone loss

Question 12

What are some causes of film faults

Answer 12

• technique
• exposure
• processing scanning receptors
• software

Question 13

What are some common faults of xrays

Answer 13

• double exposure
• poor film placement
• over/under exposure
• light exposure
• cone cut
• overlapping of teeth
• software issues

Question 14

What are some digital considerations?

Answer 14

• obliged to keep patient’s xrays for 10yrs
• Server costs, backups
• Faculty networked so images can be accessed by all clinics