Dental Radiology and Safety

Radiology

The study of radiation as it is used in medicine, including the production and interpretation of medical images.

Dental Radiographs

Images used to identify decay, diseases, abnormalities, foreign objects, record changes in periodontal health, and for patient identification in dental practice.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

The physicist who discovered X-rays in 1895, revolutionizing medical imaging and diagnosis.

Dr. C. Edmond Kells

A pioneer in dental radiography who perfected the intraoral x-ray in 1896, but tragically suffered from radiation exposure.

Dr. William Rollins

The inventor of the first dental x-ray unit in 1896, contributing to the advancement of dental radiography.

Dr. William D. Coolidge

The inventor of the hot cathode x-ray tube in 1913, which significantly improved the efficiency and safety of x-ray machines.

Victor X-Ray Corporation

The developer of the dental x-ray machine using the Coolidge tube, contributing to the widespread use of dental radiography.

Dr. Howard Rober and A. Cieszyski

The inventors of the Bi-Secting technique in 1923, a method for obtaining dental radiographs at different angles for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Frank McCormack

The developer of the Paralleling technique in 1920, a method for obtaining dental radiographs with minimal distortion and accurate representation of tooth structures.

X-Ray Film

The medium used for capturing dental radiographs, evolving from glass photographic plates to prewrapped film packets by Kodak, enabling easier and more efficient use in dental practices.

Digital Imaging

A technology introduced in 1987 for dental radiography, using digital sensors to capture images and allowing quick transfer to specialists for interpretation and diagnosis.

Electromagnetic Energy

Energy traveling in waves, consisting of transverse waves called cycles, including the x-rays used in dental radiography.

Ionization

The process in which atoms change into negatively or positively charged ions during exposure to radiation, a fundamental concept in understanding the effects of x-rays on matter.

Atom

The basic unit of matter, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons, fundamental to understanding the behavior of x-rays in dental radiography.

Electrons

Negatively charged particles orbiting the nucleus of an atom, which can become positive ions when disturbed by x-ray photons, a key concept in understanding the interaction of x-rays with matter in dental radiography.

Visible Light

The only wavelength detectable by human senses, with lower energy than x-rays, providing a basis for understanding the differences in properties and effects of visible light and x-rays in dental radiography.

Primary Radiation

High energy x-rays from the central beam of the x-ray tubehead, producing diagnostic images in dental radiography, essential for understanding the production and use of x-rays in dental imaging.

Secondary Radiation

X-rays that contact matter or the patient, transforming into longer wavelengths with less energy, influencing the quality and safety of dental radiography.

Scatter Radiation

X-rays deflected from their path when striking matter, presenting a serious danger to the operator and emphasizing the importance of radiation safety in dental radiography.

Leakage Radiation

X-rays escaping in all directions from the tube or tubehead, causing harm and not useful for diagnostic x-rays, highlighting the need for proper maintenance and safety measures in dental radiography equipment.

Roentgen (R)

The unit of measurement for the amount of radiation that ionizes one cubic centimeter of air, a key concept in understanding radiation exposure in dental radiography.

Radiation Absorbed Dose (RAD)

The amount of ionizing radiation absorbed in a substance, a fundamental concept in understanding the effects of radiation on biological tissues in dental radiography.

Roentgen Equivalent Man (rem)

The dose of radiation to which body tissues are exposed, a crucial concept in understanding the potential biological effects of radiation exposure in dental radiography.

Relative Biological Effectiveness (rbe)

A measurement unit used to compare the biological effects on various tissues irradiated by different forms of energy, providing insight into the relative risks associated with different types of radiation exposure in dental radiography.