Dental X-ray Equipment Regulations Quiz

Dental X-ray Equipment Regulations

• All dental x-ray machines manufactured after 1974 must meet specific federal guidelines.
• The federal government regulates the manufacture and installation of dental x-ray equipment.
• State and local governments regulate how dental x-ray equipment is used, dictating codes related to x-radiation.
• Periodic registration, inspection, and monitoring of dental x-ray equipment is required, with fees involved.

Handheld X-ray Units

• Handheld x-ray units are battery-powered and approved by the FDA for use in dentistry.
• These units can produce high-quality diagnostic images.
• They are approved in many states, but each state radiation control board determines the use and protection requirements.
• Operator exposure is limited by a lead acrylic disk shield surrounding the PID.

X-ray Machine Components

• The tubehead contains the x-ray tube that generates dental x-rays.
• The position-indicating device (PID) extends from the tubehead and restricts the x-ray beam size.
• The extension arm holds the tubehead and electrical wires for movement and positioning.
• The control panel allows the dental radiographer to regulate the x-ray beam, often mounted on a floor pedestal, wall, or remote location.

Control Panel Features

• A single control panel can operate multiple x-ray units in adjacent rooms.
• Control panel components include an on-off switch, exposure button, exposure light, and control devices for time, kilovoltage, and milliamperage.

Extraoral Imaging Techniques

• Common extraoral techniques include panoramic, cephalometric, skull imaging, and cone-beam computed tomography.
• Extraoral x-ray machines consist of a tubehead, positioning devices for the head, chin, forehead, and teeth, and an exposure control panel.
• The tubehead contains the x-ray tube, and the PID can be round or rectangular.
• Exposure times range from a few moments to 20–30 seconds.
• Stabilizing devices help position the patient correctly and keep them still during exposure.

Receptor Holders and Beam Alignment Devices

• Receptor holders help align intraoral receptors and eliminate the need for patient stabilization.
• Beam alignment devices indicate the PID position in relation to the tooth and help with accurate image capture.
• Examples include XCP and BAI beam alignment devices.
• Some devices are designed for traditional film or digital sensors.

Collimating Devices

• Collimating devices, like the IDI Tru-Image™ and Rinn Universal collimator, are used in conjunction with beam alignment devices to restrict the x-ray beam size and limit radiation exposure.