Errors in Radiographical Imaging

underexposure

not enough xrays reaching the patient, brightness increases

overexposure

more xrays hit the patient, decreasing the brightness

cone cut

• most common errpr

• collimator is not lined up with image receptor

horizontal misangulation

occurs when you aim at the teeth from a mesial angle or a distal angle instead of straight at the buccal surfaces 

double image

usually due to incomplete erasure of PSP

vertical misangulation

occurs when you aim the teeth from a superior angle or an inferior angle instead of straight at the buccal surface

exposure of PSP to light

• causes partial erasure

• appears similar to underexposure

• looks noisy and a little brighter

damaged digital sensor, artifacing 

completely random shape in the middle of the image 

New Patients - Children 

• BW radiographs indicated if interproximals cannot be visualized

• selected periapical and occlusal views 

• PAs and occlusal may be replaced with a panoramic if dentition is transitional 

New Patients - Adolescents/Adults

• BW and selected PAs

• or FMX is evidence of high risk

Recall high caries risk patients - children/adolescents

BWs every 6-12 months

recall high caries risk patients - adults 

BWs radiographs every 6-18 months 

Recall patients at low risk - children

BWs every 12-24 intervals

recall patients at low risk - adolescents

BWs every 18-36 months

recall patients at low risk - adults 

BWs every 24-36 months