faults during management and processing of x-ray films.

1. DEPARTMENT OF :-
ORAL MEDICINE AND
RADIOLOGY
KALKA DENTAL COLLEGE

2. SUBMITTED BY:-
Dr. NIKESH ROSHAN

3. Causes of FAULTY RADIOGRAPHS can be
broadly classified into:-
• PROJECTION ERRORS
• EXPOSURE AND PROCESSING ERRORS
• AUTOMATIC PROCESSING ERRORS
• MISCELLANEOUS TECHNIQUE ERRORS

4.  Apical ends of the teeth cut off
REASON :- Film is placed too close to the teeth in the
maxillary arch when using paralleling technique.
RECTIFICATION :- Place the film away from the teeth.
Lighter Radiographs (Underexposed/ Underdeveloped
Radiographs)
REASON :- Radiograph with low density.
Radiograph exposed for less than optimum time or with less
than optimum kVp.
RECTIFICATION :- Developing time should be increased

5. Darker Film (Overexposed/ Overdeveloped/ High Density
Radiology)
REASON :- Radiograph with high density.
Radiograph exposed for more than optimum time or with
more than optimum kVp.
RECTIFICATION :- Developing time should be decreased
Cone-cut/ Partial Image
REASON :- Improper alignment of the tube, the object
and the film.
RECTIFICATION :- X-ray tube should be aligned properly
with the object and the film.

6. Blurring
REASON :- Movement of the film, the patient or the X-ray tube during exposure
RECTIFICATION :- Patient should be instructed not to do any movement either of
the film or of himself during the radiograph.
Ensure the stability of the X-ray tube.
 Image Shape Distortion
REASON :- Excessive pressure is applied over the film.
RECTIFICATION :- Film should be supported very gently.

7. Tyre Track Appearance / Herring Bone Effect
REASON :- Reverse film position.
RECTIFICATION :- Always ensure that convexity of embossed dot
should face the X-ray tube.
Overlapped Image
REASON :- Incorrect horizontal angulation of the cone.
RECTIFICATION :- Central rays of the X-ray beam should be directed
perpendicular to the facial surface of the teeth.

8.  Crowns of teeth not showing
REASON :- Not enough film showing below or above
the crowns of teeth.
RECTIFICATION :- Approximately 1/8th of the film should
extend below or above the crown.
REASON :- Decreased vertical angulation causing elongation.
RECTIFICATION :- Increased vertical angulation.
 Magnification
REASON :- Film to object distance increased.
RECTIFICATION :- Use the recommended film to the object
distance.
REASON :- A cone pointed cone is used which produces a
divergent beam.
RECTIFICATION :- Use open ended lead lined cones.

9.  Black Lines on the radiograph
REASON :- Bending of the film prior to it’s placement
inside the patient’s mouth.
RECTIFICATION :- Avoid bending of the film.
 Doubled Images on the radiograph
REASON :- Film exposed twice to radiation.
RECTIFICATION :- Place exposed film in separate labeled
compartments.

10. Random artifacts on film
REASON :- Contaminants (paper, dust, etc.) will prevent
the X-ray from reaching the film
RECTIFICATION :- Check and clean screens inside the
cassettes for contaminants.
Radiopaque artifacts on the radiographs
REASON :- Dental appliance in the mouth, presence of
foreign bodies in and around the area of radiographed.
RECTIFICATION :- Instruct the patient to remove all the removable
dental appliances and any other foreign bodies like
eye glasses, nose ring, ear ring etc.

11.  Black Dot in the apical area.
REASON :- Identifying mark on the film placed
towards the apical area of the teeth.
RECTIFICATION :- Placed the raised dot on the film
towards the occlusal surface or
the incisal surface of the teeth.
 Adumbration (Cervical burn out)
REASON :- Horizontal angle of the
beam is not directed
through the contact area of
the teeth.
RECTIFICATION :- This is relative
radiolucency that may
be mistaken for cervical
caries or root caries.

12.  High Contrast
REASON :- Insufficient penetration
RECTIFICATION :- Increase kilo voltage.
REASON :- Over development
RECTIFICATION :- Use temp. method with a
darkroom timer, lower temp.
to 70˚ F
 Light Contrast
REASON :- Excessive penetration
RECTIFICATION :- Decreased kilo voltage
REASON :- Under development
RECTIFICATION :- Set darkroom timer correct,
rise temp. to 70˚ F
REASON :- Scattered radiation
RECTIFICATION :- Check diaphragm size and use
suitable cone.

13.  Reticulation ( Orange Peel Appearance)
REASON :- Sudden extreme temp. Changes during processing
RECTIFICATION :- Maintain uniform processing temp.
REASON :- Weakened fixer solution
RECTIFICATION :- Replenish or replace fixer solution
 Air Bells
REASON :- Air bubbles trapped on the film surfaces preventing
uniform reduction of the emulsion
RECTIFICATION :- Agitate film upon immersions into developer

14.  White Spots and Lines on Film
REASON :- Grit or dust present on the film or upon
the screens
RECTIFICATION :- Keep darkroom clean to prevent
dust and dirt particles from settling on films
Periodically clean the screens with commercial
screen cleanser
REASON :- Emulsion tear from rough handling of films in processing
tanks
RECTIFICATION :- Do not rub films up against the sides of tanks or
other film hangers
REASON :- Film contamination with the fixer before processing
RECTIFICATION :- Keep the dark room clean and dry
REASON :- Excessive bending of films
REASON :- Cracks in the intensifying screens
REASON :- Finger contamination, where the contaminant is the fixer
REASON :- Films handled roughly while being mounted in the hanger

15. Artifacts on processing
1. Black Crescents
REASON :- Rough handling of films
RECTIFICATION :- Handle films by edges only
2. Black smudge marks
REASON :- Finger prints or finger abrasions
RECTIFICATION :- Have dry fingers while handling film
3. Black lines
REASON :- Static electricity (naked tree, lightening marks).
These are caused by electric discharges that produce
no visible light, but occurs on the surface of emulsion.
- Rapid movement in removing film from the box.
- Film is removed rapidly from the interleaving.
- Paper.
- Film is touched by the fingers of the person.
- Processing the film.

16.  Yellow or Brown stains on film
REASON :- Exhausted or oxidized or contaminated
developer or prolonged development.
RECTIFICATION :- Use fresh developing solution and
use recommended developing time.
REASON :- Insufficient rinsing.
RECTIFICATION :- Rinse films for 15-20 sec. in fresh
running water
 Vertical white line on panoramic radiograph
REASON :- The push button on the exposure switch is
accidently released and then pressed down for
the reminder of the excursion, a blank space on
the panoramic radiograph will result, as the radiation
to film is cut off.
RECTIFICATION :- Keep the exposure button properly pressed
till the entire exposure cycle is through.

17. Clear film ( Film not exposed)
REASON :- Failure to switch on the X-ray machine,
electrical failure, malfunction of machine
RECTIFICATION :- Ensure that the X-ray machine in
working properly.
REASON :- Exposed film is first put in the fixing solution
RECTIFICATION :- The position of the tank containing the
solutions should be fixed, as per the
requirement of the darkroom.
Black film
REASON :- Film exposed to light.
RECTIFICATION :- Handling of the exposed or unexposed
film should be done carefully

18.  Frilling
REASON :- Hot processing solution
RECTIFICATION :- Maintain proper processing temp. (70˚ F)
 Emulsion Peel
REASON :- Abrasion of image during processing or
excessive time in water bath.
 Grainy Appearance
REASON :- Developer solution too warm

19. Improper drying
REASON :- If a drop of water remains on the film and
the film dries with that, it produces the stains
on the film.
RECTIFICATION :- Should be dried well in the specially
designed X-ray dryer.
Streaking (Uneven density)
REASON :- Developer and fixer replenishment low,
unclean rinsing water.
REASON :- Rollers and crossovers encrusted with
chemical deposits.
REASON :- Improper chemicals and/or films used.
REASON :- Films not hardened properly by chemicals.

20.  Increased film density ( overall dark film )
REASON :- Developer temp. too high
RECTIFICATION :- Check that the water is not turned off.
Check temp. of the incoming water supply
and adjust between 75˚ - 80˚ F.
Decrease the heat in the developing solution.
REASON :- Light leaks in processor cover
REASON :- too much replenisher
 Decreased film density ( overall light film )
REASON :- Low developer temp. , exhausted or contaminated
developer , no agitation in developer tank.
RECTIFICATION :- Drain and thoroughly clean tank, install new
developer. Be sure that the agitator paddle
drive belt is in the proper position in the pulley.
REASON :- Processing too fast.

21.  White cloudy appearance over film surface
REASON :- No water in water tank.
RECTIFICATION :- Check incoming controls and lines.
 Drying pattern on film surface
REASON :- Dryer too hot.
RECTIFICATION :- Reduce dryer temp.
REASON :- Characteristic of film.
RECTIFICATION :- Process film of the same box through
other processor and chemicals to determine
consistency of pattern
 Broad horizontal white line
REASON :- Irregularities on the surface of the rollers.

22.  Pressure marks
REASON :- Foreign material or rough spot on roller
RECTIFICATION :- Clean rollers and/ or remove rough area on roller
REASON :- Rough handling or excessive hand pressure on film before processing.
RECTIFICATION :- Film emulsions are extremely sensitive, after exposure and before
the processing.
Good habits in gentle handling of film must be practiced

23.  Phalangioma (Patient’s Finger on the Film)
REASON :- The patient’s finger was incorrectly positioned in front of the film instead of
behind the film.
RECTIFICATION :- Patient should advised to put the finger behind the film.

24.  FERRYR. KARJODKAR
(FIRSTEDITION)
 ANILGOVINDRAOGHOM
(FIRSTEDITION)
 STUARTC. WHITE• MICHAELJ. PHAROAH
( FIRSTSOUTHASIAEDITION)