Dental Radiography Terms

ALARA Concept

concept of radiation protection that states that all exposures should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable"

Anode

A positive electrode in the x-ray tube

Atom

basic unit of matter

Cathode

negative electrode of the x-ray tube

Central Ray

X-ray at center of beam

Contrast

Differences in degrees of blackness on a radiograph

Control Panel

The portion of the X-Ray unit that contains the master switch, the indicator light, the selector buttons, and the exposure button

Density

The overall darkness or blackness of a radiograph

Dental Radiography

the process of making radiographs of the teeth and adjacent structures by exposure of radiographs

Distortion

Change in the size of an image on a radiograph caused by incorrect vertical angulation

Dose

the amount of energy absorbed by tissues

Electron

A negatively charged particle that is found outside the nucleus of an atom

Energy

the ability to do work

Extension Arm

Flexible arm that is attached to the x-ray tubehead

Genetic Effects

effects of radiation that are passed on to future generations through genetic cells

Ion

an electrically charged particle

Ionization

Process by which electrons are removed from atoms, causing the harmful effects of radiation in humans

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that produces ionization, resulting in harmful effects

Kilovoltage Peak

highest voltage of the radiograph tube used during a radiograph exposure

Latent Period

Time between exposure to ionizing radiation and appearance of symptoms.

Lead Apron

Device used to protect the reproductive and blood forming tissues from scatter radiation

Magnification

the proportional enlargement of a radiographic image

What are the Components of control panel

Master Switch, Indicator light, selector buttons, exposure button

Matter

Anything that occupies space and has form or shape

Milliampere

one one-thousandth of an ampere, a unit of measurement used to describe the intensity of an electrical current

Penumbra

the blurred or indistinct area that surrounds an image

Photon

A minute (tiny) bundle of pure energy that has no weight or mass

Primary Beam

the most penetrating beam produced at the target of the anode

Primary Radiation

Same as primary beam (the most penetrating beam produced at the target of the anode)

Radiation

forms of waves of energy emission through space or material

Radiograph

image produced on photosensitive film by exposing the film to radiation and then processing it.

Radiology

the science or study of radiation as used in medicine

Scatter Radiation

A form of secondary radiation that occurs when an x-ray beam has been deflected from its path by interaction with matter

Secondary Radiation

X-Radiation that is created when the primary beam interacts with matter

Sharpness

A measure of how well the radiograph reproduces the fine details or outlines of an object.

Somatic Effects

Effects of radiation that cause illness and are responsible for poor health (such as cancer, leukemia, and cataracts) but are not passed onto offspring.)

Thyroid collar

A flexible lead shield that is placed securely around the neck

Tubehead

The part of the x-ray unit that contains the x-ray tube, the high-voltage and low-voltage transformers, and insulation oil.

Tungsten Taget

A focal spot in the anode

X-Radiation

High-energy ionizing electromagnetic radiation.

Automaric Processor

Device that automates all film processing steps

Beam Alignment Device

assists in the positioning of the position indicator device (PID)

Bitewing

Radiographic view that shows the crowns of both arches on one film

Calcium Tungstate

Common type of phosphor

Cassette

Holder for extraoral films during exposure

Caphalometric Film

Shows the bony and soft tissue areas of the facial profile

Duplicating Film

Film designed for use in film duplication machines

Emulsion

A coating on the x-ray film that contains energy-sensitive crystals.

Extraoral Film

Film designed for use in cassettes

Film Holder

Device used to position and hold dental x-ray films

Film Speed

The sensitivity of the emulsion on the film to radiation

Intensifiying Screen

Device used to convert x-ray energy into visible light, which in turn exposes screen film

Intraoral Film

Film designed for placement in the patient's mouth.

Label Side

Colored side of the film that faces the tongue

Latent Image

The invisible image on the x-ray film after exposure but before processing

Occlusal

Radiographic view that shows large areas of the maxilla or mandible

Panoramic Film

Provides a wide view of the upper and lower jaws

Periapical

radiographic view that shows the crown, root tip, and surrounding structures.

Processing

A series of steps that change exposed film into a radiograph. The steps include developing, rinsing, fixing, washing, and drying

Radiograph

Image produced on photosensitive film by exposing the film to radiation and then processing it.

Tube Side

Solid white side of the film that faces the x-ray tube

Artifact

An image on a radiograph that is not an actual structure but is caused by the technique

Disclosure

process of informing the patient about a procedure, for example, the procedure for taking x-rays

Informed Consent

Permission granted by a patient after being informed about the details of a procedure.

Liable

Accountable or leagally responsible

Quality Assurance (QA)

a plan to ensure that the dental office porduces consistent, high-quality images with a minimum of exposure to patients and personnel

Quality control tests

specific tests used to ensure quality in dental x-ray equipment, supplies, and film processing.

Stepwedge

Device constructed of layered aluminum steps to demonstrate film densities and contrasts.

Viewbox

An illuminated box-like device used to view radiographs

Angulation

Alignment of central ray of x-ray beam in horizontal and vertical planes

Bisectiong (bisection of the angle) technique

intraoral technique of exposing periapical films

Bitewing

Type of radiograph used in the interproximal examination

Central Ray

X-Ray at center of beam

Contact Area

Area of the mesial or distal surfaces of a tooth that touches the adjacent tooth in the same arch

Crestal Bone

Coronal portion of alveolar bone found between the teeth

Developmental Disability

Impairment of mental or physical functioning that usually occurs before adulthood and lasts indefinitely.

Diagnostic Quality

Referring to radiographs with the proper images and necessary density, contrast, definition, and detail for diagnostic purposes.

Interproximal

Between two adjacent surfaces.

Intersecting

Cutting across or through

Long axis of the tooth

imaginary line dividing the tooth longitudinally (vertically) into two equal halves.

Occlusal Technique

Used to examine large areas of the upper or lower jaw.

Parallel

Moving or lying in the same plane, always seperated by the same distance.

Paralleling Technique

Intraoral technique of exposing periapical and bitewing radiographs

Perpendicular

intersecting at or forming a right angle

Physical Disability

Impairment in certain functions of the body, such as vision, hearing, or mobility.

Right Angle

Angle of 90 degrees formed by two lines perpendicular to each other.

Cephalostat

Special device that allows the operator to easily position both film and patient

Charge-Coupled Device (CCD)

image receptor found in the intraoral sensor

Digital Radiography

Filmless imaging system that uses a sensor to capture images, then converts the images into electronic pieces and stores them in a computer.

Digital Image

An image composed of pixels

Digitize

to convert an image into a digital form that , in turn, can be processed by a computer

Direct Digital imaging

A technique in which the image is captured on an intraoral sensor and then is viewed on a computer.

Exposure Controls

Feature that allows the operator to adjust the milliamperage and kilovaltage settings

Extraoral Radiographs

Radiographs taken wehn large areas of the skull or jaw must be examined

Focal Trough

imaginary three-dimensional horseshoe-shaped zone used to focus panoramic radiographs.

Frankfort Plane

imaginary three-dimensional horseshoe-shaped zone used to focus panoramic radiographs

Indirect Digital Imaging

An existing radiograph is scanned and converted into a digital form with the use of a charged-coupled device (CCD) camera

Midsagittal Plane

Imaginary line that divides the patient's face into right and left sides

Sensor

Small detector that is placed intraorally to capture a radiographic image

Storage Phosphor Imaging

An existing radiograph is captured on phosphor-coated plates and then is placed into an electronic processor, where a laser scans the plate and produces an image on a computer screen.