Radiation Safety & Infection Control
This type of radiation beam exits the x-ray tube head and is directed toward the patient and receptor to create the image.
Primary beam
For proper intraoral radiographic positioning, this imaginary line dividing the face into right and left sides should be placed perpendicular to the floor.
Midsagittal plane
Before taking radiographic images, patients should remove these items to prevent image artifacts and interference with diagnostic quality.
Eyeglasses, jewelry, and removable oral appliances
This extraoral imaging technique provides a broad view of the jaws and surrounding structures, allowing the dentist to evaluate areas such as the sinuses, TMJ, unerupted teeth, and possible bone fractures.
Panoramic radiograph
These structures appear white or light gray on a radiograph because they absorb more x-rays and allow less radiation to reach the receptor.
Radiopaque structures
This exposure factor controls the energy and penetrating ability of the x-ray beam, affecting the quality of radiation produced.
Kilovoltage (kVp)
This type of bitewing image is commonly selected when the goal is to evaluate the interproximal surfaces of teeth for caries detection.
Horizontal bitewing
A mistake in this direction of tube head angulation causes adjacent tooth contacts to appear overlapping on each other.
Incorrect horizontal angulation
This extraoral image is commonly used in orthodontics to evaluate a patient’s facial growth pattern, skeletal relationships, and overall profile.
Cephalometric radiograph
Unlike bone loss or other periodontal changes, this early gum condition cannot be identified on a radiograph because it affects soft tissue.
Gingivitis
To prevent cross-contamination, these devices used to hold image receptors must undergo this process between patients.
Sterilization
One major advantage of this exposure method is that it produces images with minimal distortion by keeping the receptor parallel to the long axis of the tooth.
Paralleling technique
This radiographic error occurs when the x-ray beam is not centered over the image receptor, leaving an unexposed area on the image.
Cone cutting
When the patient’s head is positioned too far forward during a panoramic exposure, this area of the image will appear blurred due to incorrect positioning.
Anterior teeth
This type of decay can be challenging to detect radiographically because the lesion may be hidden within the grooves and pits of the tooth surface.
Moderate occlusal decay
If a protective barrier on a digital sensor becomes damaged during use, the assistant must take these steps to prevent contamination and prepare the sensor for the next exposure.
Disinfect the sensor and replace the sheath
This type of intraoral image provides a larger view of the dental arches and can help identify conditions that may not be visible on other intraoral radiographs.
Occlusal Radiographs
This image quality error occurs when an object appears larger, smaller, elongated, or shortened compared with its true size while the rest of the image remains proportionally accurate.
Distortion
To minimize radiation exposure, the radiographer should stand this distance away from the patient or position themselves behind a protective barrier during exposure.
At least 6 feet
This severe form of dental decay is associated with risk factors such as poor diet, prolonged bottle use with milk or juice in children, and decreased saliva production in adults.
Rampant caries
After completing radiographic procedures, the radiographer should begin post-procedure cleanup by completing these infection control steps in the correct order.
Remove gloves, wash hands, and remove the lead apron from the patient.
In the bisecting angle technique, proper image formation requires the central ray to be directed at a 90-degree angle to the line that divides the angle between the tooth and the image receptor.
Bisecting line
This mounting method arranges radiographs so they appear as if the viewer is looking directly at the patient’s face, with the facial surfaces of the teeth facing outward.
Labial mounting
This type of imaging creates a three-dimensional view of the patient’s oral and maxillofacial structures, including the jaws, face, and surrounding tissues.
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)
This normal process occurs when primary teeth lose their roots as they prepare to be replaced by permanent teeth.
Physiological resorption