Dental Radiography

Radiology Overview

• Radiology is the branch of medicine that deals with the use of radiant energy for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Purpose of Dental Images

• The purpose of dental images is to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of dental problems.

Radiograph Definition

• A radiograph is a two-dimensional image created by exposing a sensor or film to x-rays that have passed through a patient's teeth and surrounding structures.

History of Intraoral Films

• In 1913, the Eastman Kodak Company manufactured the first prewrapped intraoral films.
• The first machine-made periapical film packets became available in 1914.

Paralleling Technique

• The bisecting-angle technique revived interest in the paralleling technique in dental radiography.

Digital Imaging

• The technology used to support dental digital imaging was introduced in the 1980s.

Extraoral Imaging Techniques

• Commonly used extraoral imaging techniques in dentistry include panoramic radiography, cephalometric radiography, and computed tomography (CT).
• CT scans are used to evaluate the jaw and surrounding soft tissues.

Extraoral X-ray Machine Components

• The main components of an extraoral x-ray machine include a control panel, an x-ray generator, and a beam alignment device.

Receptor Holder

• The purpose of a receptor holder in intraoral imaging is to position the receptor accurately and consistently.

Beam Alignment Device

• The function of a beam alignment device in dental radiography is to direct the x-ray beam at the correct angle and position.

X-ray Discovery

• Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German physicist, discovered the x-ray in 1895.
• Roentgen named his discovery "x-ray" because he did not know what it was.

First Dental Radiograph

• Otto Walkhoff, a German dentist, made the first dental radiograph in 1895.
• In the United States, Dr. Edmund Kells made the first dental radiograph using a skull in 1896.
• Dr. C. Edmond Kells is credited with the first practical use of radiographs in dentistry.