Dental Radiographs and X-Rays

Dental Radiographs

• Digital radiology is becoming more popular because it allows for a lower radiation dose, while analog radiology remains the most used
• Analog radiology has been used since the early 20th century for medical tests and dental issues
• Dental radiographs produce X-rays that capture images of teeth and surrounding tissues

X-Rays

• X-rays are byproducts of subjecting an object to high-speed electrons
• Some energy dissipates as heat, while the rest turns into invisible electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate opaque objects
• A negative effect is that they can cause somatic and genetic changes through ionization
• Typically, X-rays are produced using a vacuum glass and metal tube surrounded by a protective layer
• The tube houses a cathode (negative pole) made of a heated metallic filament that emits electrons, and an anode (positive pole), where the electrons collide, creating X-rays and heat
• Electrons accelerate through a potential difference between the cathode and anode
• Radiation appears when the electrons collide

Radiographic Films

• Radiographs record images
• X-ray equipment systems ensure that the emitted radiation get imprinted on the radiographic films
• X-ray equipment can be portable or stationary
• Dental X-ray equipment has simpler structures and operations

X-Ray Equipment Main Parts

• Head: An elongated, cylindrical, lead-lined structure that prevents radiation leaks and limits beam size that contains the X-ray tube and high/low voltage circuits
• Extension arm: An articulated arm connects the head to the control module and should be sturdy, avoiding movement
• Control module: Regulates the X-ray beam with a power button and tools to adjust exposure

Radiographs

• Intraoral radiograph machines record dental details, while orthopantomographs capture panoramic radiographs of the upper and lower jaw
• Modern equipment includes a cephalostat to capture remote radiographs
• Lateral skull teleradiography is helpful in orthodontics and is a base for panoramic treatment

Types of Radiation Exposure

• Primary or direct radiation: radiation that originates from the source, the X-ray tube
• Secondary radiation: includes dispersed radiation, produced when the primary beam hits other objects resulting in multiple dispersions
• Leakage radiation emerges from the X-ray tube's protective shield and must be minimal

Radiological Film Info

• Radiological film records an image when radiation goes through bones, containing 4 components
• Outer layer: A protective layer for intraoral X-rays made of plastic, black cardboard, and a lead sheet Designed with rounded edges

Film Components

• Polyester support: flexible plastic base resisting heat, moisture, and chemical exposure
• Emulsion adhesive: coating both sides to bind it
• Emulsions contain silver halide in animal gelatin, which creates a homogenous mix of gelatin and silver halide crystals, where plate vary by procedure

Radiological Film Properties

• Radiological plates generally categorized by their placement: either inside or outside the mouth

Intraoral Films

• It is placed inside the mouth during X-ray exposure and has four components
• X-ray film: double emulsion, which needs less radiation than single emulsion, with each pack holding 1-2 films used to see the patients right or left side
• Protective Black Paper protects the dental Film
• A lead foil blocks radiation
• The external is plastic sealed with film, black paper, and lead sheet, placing the white part toward the teeth

Extraoral Films

• Placed outside radiation exposure, with a film utilized for orthopantomography, and another used for lateral skull teleradiography
• Film with screen: mainly placing film between two intensifying screens, they convert X-rays to fluorescent light to imprint film and give less radiation
• Films without screen are more of a dose

Technique

• Radiographic techniques vary the type on film, using different techniques for intraoral, extraoral, and special radiographs

Intraoral Radiographic Techniques

• Periapical: Looks at the tooth from the crown to the apex, that showcases the periodontal space

Techniques for Radiographs

• Paralleling or Right Angle technique: is a technique used for periodontal studies with the least amount of image distortion where the film is placed parallel
• Bisecting technique: geometric rule observing tooth anatomy

Interproximal Radiography

• Interproximal radiography helps identify caries on the teeth's surface and the size and condition of the pulp
• In this technique, film is placed between the arches, where the patient holds still

Occlusal Radiography

• Occlusal radiography studies maxilla to see dental development or fractures
• Technique: position vertically, the patients bites the film, directing perpendicular central beam

Radiographic results

• Radiographs (analogues) can be seen using a negatoscope. The clearer areas indicates a resistance to radiation, corresponding the teeth with other implants
• Darker areas represents that more radiation, it highlights other problems
• During the process, the assistant tells the patient what to do and places them in the chair adjusting its height
• Adjust the unit and values where plates can be exposed

Extraoral Techniques

• The film outside the oral cavity to study dentition
• panoramic: single plate show cases the whole dental structure where the beam turns

Skull X-Ray

• Skull x-rays see the soft tissue which helps orthodontics and orients lateral to the head to stabilize

Developing Techniques

• The developing allows seeing the image with areas visible where supplies are prepared
• Perform in dark rooms in cases of alarm there is an emergency system

Types of Light

• Red lighting is used during the developing procedure
• White light is used when the procedure is complete
• It is needed to be spaced with sizes maintained

Procedures

• There procedures include 5 steps
• Step 1 where plates need to be developed with chemicals to not be ruined and kept

Methods

• The method dissolves surface in water the solution of developer
• Need to extract the film quick
• Fix film done with acid that clears the radiation

Steps in Cleaning

• The cleaning is done at 4 minutes rinsing chemicals
• drying needs to be done on place to allow the process of drying
• the process of repeating needs to be taken into consideration

Automatic procedures

• It is automated the processes happen while the machine controls water temperature
• The water level needs to be refilled which may involve solutions needed

Radiation Effects

• X-ray alter the compounds of life which harms structure
• Small radiation dosages can have long term effects in biological matter

radiation

• Radiation has several measuring units from effects, in MSv for human
• The organ has cells that can renew like the crystal and Thyroid

Radiation Safety

• All examination needs to a clinic
• Personnel needs to be educated
• Time is limited by position
• Minimize emission

Procedures for Radiation

• A prescription is needed while protecters need to be available
• Placing dental equipment reduces the effect
• Film saves on the bodies tissue

The importance of health

• The team must have precautions while in operation
• Minimum two meters is need between them
• Safety standards need to ensure

Types of security levels

• Area watched has small effective dose
• Controlled area more dose to harm eye and limbs
• Limited permanence allows danger to certain points

Radiation markings

• Marking is needed in all areas where exposures need to be know
• Types of equipment depends on the work needed to be done

Equipments

• Protecters are made from lead and others
• Dosimeters measure the health of people and has limited exposure

Environmental effects

• The effect has levels
• Personal obligation to have a record of medical

Storage

• radiation and heat harm it
• It should be stored away due to its expiry date
• all data needs to be saved