1. Dent 150 Dental Radiology
Roberta Brown, RDH MS
Instructor

2. Learning Objectives
Summarize the importance of dental
radiography
List the uses of dental radiographs
Briefly summarize the discovery and
development of x-radiation
Identify the pioneers in radiology, their
contributions and discoveries
Discuss the knowledge and skill
requirements of the dental radiographer

3. More Learning Objectives…
Define ‘radiation’, ‘x-radiation’, ‘radiograph’
and ‘dental radiographer’
Identify the differences between extraoral
and intraoral radiography
Identify the component parts of an
intraoral dental x-ray machine
Describe the purpose and use of dental x-
ray film holders and devices

4. A Little History
Wilhelm Conrad
Roentgen
November 8, 1895
Accidental
Created rays that caused
materials to glow
Traveled several feet
Made first x-ray image
“X” = unknown
Profound implications

5. The First X-Ray
Taken of
Roentgen’s
wife
Exposed
for 15
MINUTES!

7. Dental Radiography
Otto Walkhoff
– German Dentist
– Intraoral radiograph on himself
– 25 minute exposure time
Edmund Kells
– First dental radiographs on live patients
William H. Rollins
– Radiation safety
Howard R. Raper
– First university course on radiation for dental students
(1909)

8. Unknown Dangers
Exposure times were
very long
Nobody knew the
dangers
Early pioneers in the
field suffered lose of
fingers, hands and
life

9. Dental Radiology

10. Radiology Definitions
Radiation
– A form of energy carried by waves or a
stream of particles
X-radiation
– High energy radiation produced by a beam of
electrons colliding with a metal target in an x-
ray tube

11. And More…
Radiograph
– A picture on film (photographic image)
produced by the passage of x-rays through an
object. In practice often called an “x-ray”
Dental Radiograph
– A photographic image produced on film by the
passage of x-rays through teeth and related
structures

12. Importance of Dental Radiographs
Detection of disease processes
View unseen clinical conditions
Basic component of comprehensive care

13. Uses of Dental Radiographs
Detection (lesions,
disease)
Confirmation ( during
treatment)
Evaluation
Classify / Illustrate
changes
Localize lesions/objects
Documentation

14. Detection and Confirmation

15. Treatment Information

16. Confirmation of Completed
Treatment
Before After

17. Evaluation

19. Localize Lesions

20. Illustrate Changes

21. Documentation

22. Dental Radiographer
Any person who
position, exposes
and processes
dental x-ray film
Typically dental
assistant or dental
hygienist

23. Knowledge Base
Background Information on radiography
Rationale for the procedure
Exposure factors
Manipulation of equipment
Film placement
Patient management
Methods of processing

24. Duties and Responsibilities
Film placement, exposure and processing
Film mounting
Patient education
Darkroom maintenance
Quality control
Ordering of film and supplies

25. Patient Protection
Lead apron with thyroid
collar
Fast film
Appropriate collimation
Lowest possible radiation
exposure ALARA
Good technique
Meticulous handling of
the film

26. Operator Protection
Avoid primary beam
Maintain adequate distance
Never hold a film in position
Never hold the tube head

27. X-Ray Machines
Intraoral

28. X-Ray Machines
Extraoral
– Developed
in the
1950’s

29. X-Ray Machines
Modern Extraoral Machines

30. Parts of the X-Ray Machine
Extension arm
Control box
Tubehead
Source of x-rays
Heart of machine

31. The Tubehead

32. Beam Alignment
Round PID
Rectangular Collimator

33. Film Holders
Many types to
accommodate
different techniques