Radiation

Automatic

Processor machine that automates all film-processing steps.

Beam alignment device

Assists in the positioning of the position indicator device.

Bitewing

Image view that shows the crowns of both arches on one film.

Calcium tungstate

Common type of phosphor.

Cassette

Contains extraoral films during exposure.

Cephalometric film

Shows the bony and soft tissue areas of the facial profile.

Charge-coupled device (CCD)

Solid-state image sensor used in intraoral digital imaging.

Digital image

Electronic signals captured by sensors and displayed on computer monitors.

Digitize

Scanning of traditional film-based radiographs into a digital image.

Duplicating film

Film designed for use in film duplicating machines.

Emulsion (ee-MUL-shun)

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

Extraoral film

Film designed for use in cassettes.

Film speed

Sensitivity of the emulsion on the film to radiation.

Intraoral film

Film designed for placement in the patient’s mouth.

Label side

Colored side of the film that faces the tongue.

Latent image

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

Used in cassettes to provide a wide view of both the upper and lower jaws.

Periapical (per-ee-AP-i-kul)

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

Phosphor storage plate (PSP)

Reusable film-sized plates coated with phosphor as the image receptor.

Positioning instruments

Intraoral devices used to position and hold the film, sensor, or PSP.

Processing

Series of steps that change exposed film into a radiograph; includes developing, rinsing, fixing, washing, and drying.

Radiograph (RAY-dee-oe-graf)

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

Teledentistry

Process of using electronic transfer of images and other information for consultation and/or insurance purposes in dentistry.

Tube side

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

Artifact

Blemish or unintended radiographic image that is not present in the actual structure.

Confidentiality

Never revealing any personal information about the patient.

Disclosure

Process of informing the patient about a procedure, e.g., the procedure for taking x-rays.

Image receptor

Recording medium for an image—a digital sensor, a phosphor storage plate (PSP), or conventional dental x-ray film.

Informed consent

Permission granted by a patient after being informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a procedure.

Liability

Accountability or legal responsibility.

Malpractice

Professional negligence.

Negligence

Failure to provide a proper or reasonable level of care.

Phosphor storage plates (PSPs)

Reusable film-sized flexible plates coated with phosphor as the image receptor.

Positioning devices

Intraoral devices used to position and hold the film, sensor, or PSP.

Quality assurance (QA)

Plan to ensure that the dental office produces 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.

Risk management

Policies and procedures that will reduce the chance of a malpractice lawsuit against the dentist.

Standard of care

Level of knowledge, skill, and care comparable with that of other dentists under similar conditions.

Stepwedge

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

View box

Illuminated boxlike device used to view radiographs.

Angulation

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

Bisecting (bisection of the angle)

Intraoral technique of exposing dental images.

Bitewing

Type of image used for interproximal examination.

Central ray

X-ray at the center of the beam.

Contact area

Area of the mesial or distal surfaces of a tooth that touches an 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 images with the proper structures 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 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 separated by the same distance.

Paralleling technique

Intraoral technique of exposing periapical and bitewing images.

Perpendicular

Intersecting at or forming a right angle.

Physical disability

Impairment in certain function(s) of the body, such as vision, hearing, or mobility.

Radiographic technique

A method used to capture images of dental structures, ensuring optimal positioning for accurate diagnostic results.

Positioning instrument

Intraoral device used to position and hold the film, sensor, or phosphor storage plate.

Right angle

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