Key Terms
What is the definition of a shortened image?
shorter than actual tooth
How does a dropped receptor corner appear?
the occlusal plane appears tipped or tilted
How do you get incorrect placement of molar bitewing?
Receptor wasn't placed correctly to get all teeth and diagnostic information
Can bending occur with digital sensors?
No
Image appears light or low in density
Under exposed receptor
What is the definition of angulation?
alignment of the central ray of the x-ray beam in the horizontal and vertical planes
How does foreshortened images appear?
Teeth appear short with blunted roots on the image
What needs to be included in the premolar bitewing image?
The distal of the canine and both premolars
Image appears dark or high in dentisty
Overexposed Image
What is the definition of horizontal and vertical angulation?
Horizontal: side to side
Vertical: up and down
What causes cone cut?
The PID was not properly aligned with the beam alignment device and beam did not expose the entire receptor
What needs to be included in the molar bitewing image?
Both maxillary and mandibular molars and centered over the second molar
How do you avoid phalangioma?
Never allow a patient to hold a receptor during exposure
Image has the occlusal plane tipped or tilted
Dropped receptor corner
What is the definition of phalangima?
distal phalanx of the finger seen in image
How do you fix overlapped contacts?
Direct the central ray through the proximal contacts of the teeth. Use of Rinn XCP and BAI beam alignment devices minimizes errors.
What does incorrect receptor placement do?
It results in absence of teeth surfaces, tipped occlusal plane, overlapped interproximal contacts, or distorted image.
How do you prevent wire cable issues?
Use a clamp on the metal indicator arm of the beam alignment device to hold the cable in place, make sure wire is out of exposure before each image
Image has a thin radiolucent line or white line if using PSP receptor
Creasing
What is the definition of Herringbone Pattern
tire track pattern, receptor is placed backwards
How do you fix the absence of apical structures?
Instruct patient to smile with the lips open in order to view teeth in contact with bite block. Make sure that no more than 1/8th of an inch of the receptor edge extends beyond incisal occlusal surface of teeth. Increase vertical angulation slightly to capture the apices.
How is a distorted image caused?
The vertical angulation was negative instead of +10 degrees
How do you prevent the movement of an image?
stabilize the tubehead and the patients head before exposing the receptor and instruct patient to remain still
Image has light herringbone pattern (tire track pattern)
Reversed/Backwards Placement