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 intensifying screen part inside an extraoral cassette that converts 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 - 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; steps include 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, for example, the procedure for taking x-rays
image receptor - recording medium for an image—a digital sensor, a phosphorstorage 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 that a malpractice lawsuit will be brought against the dentist; key areas of risk management include patient-informed consent, patient records, confidentiality, liability issues, and patient education
standard of care - level of knowledge, skill, and care comparable with that of other dentists who are treating similar patients 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) - technique intraoral technique of exposing dental images
bitewing type of image used for interproximal examination
central ray - x-ray at center of 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 (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 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 to achieve 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