A.

Dental X-Ray Plane

In the X-ray plane for the examination of the mouth,
teeth and jaw, all the provisions relating to the
diagnostic X-ray plane apply. The dental x-ray plane
uses a shorter focus-skin distance, so that the dose
received on the skin will be higher. An apron must be
available to protect the patient from radiation hazards
to the neck down during the radiation. Dental
radiography using occlusal film, single emulsion, non
grid, non intensifying screen (is), and short distance
technique.
B. X-ray Production Process
The process of producing x-rays in the dental x-ray
unit is the same as the process of producing x-rays on
other x-ray planes.

1. The first step in x-ray production is filament

heating. Done by pressing the exposition
preparation button, the result is the operation of
alternating current in amperes (A), and the voltage
in volts (V) flows through the filament. As a result,
the filament becomes incandescent and emits free
electrons around it (thermionic emission).
2. Second Step. High voltage generation between
cathode and anode. Done by pressing the full
expose button. The result is a high voltage
between the cathode and anode for the specified
time.
3. Third step. The high voltage between the
cathode and the anode causes the electron cloud
 to jump towards the anode. The greater the high
stress worked, and the higher the power of the
motion. The cloud of electrons moving rapidly
towards the anode individually is called a projectile
electron, and will strike a target attached to the
anode.
C.Uses of Dental Radiography
As a radiodiagnosis (dental radiograph) is important
supporting data in, for example:
 There are apical or periapical abnormalities that
are not detected clinically.
 There are abnormalities in the jaw.
 The presence of a fracture of the jaw or tooth root
 Hidden caries (proximal or root caries) secondary
caries, incipient caries, caries depth, and others.
D. Dental Radiography Equipment
1. X-Ray Unit
Dental planes are aircraft that are used for dental
examinations. Dental planes are divided into
several, namely:

 Dental planes with a conical tip and an open end,

namely dental planes that can reveal only a few
teeth.
 Dental panoramic aircraft, namely dental planes
that can produce images of the teeth as a whole.
 Dental digital imaging, which is a dental device
that can show the whole tooth and is controlled by
a monitor.
2. Film
The dental film in question is a periapical dental film
measuring 3 x 4 cm and also an occlusal dental film
measuring 6 x 9 cm.
3. Processing Unit
Processing or washing of dental films can be done
using automatic processing or manual processing.
4. Film Drying Unit
When using manual processing, a film drying unit is
needed, namely a drying cabinet.
5. Radiography Protection System
What is meant in this case is security in terms of
radiation protection. Such as the safety against
radiation in the examination room and radiology room,
as well as the safety of patients and radiographers
using an apron.
6. Viewer
To see the results of the dental film that has been
processed, a device called a viewing box is used.
E. Dental X-Ray Unit Tube Components
This is a picture of Dental X-Ray unit tube component
that are included cooling mechanism, copper stem,
tungsten target, vacuum, filament and electron cloud,
galss envelope, cathode, porte filter, diaphragm, and
anode
F. Structure of the Dental X-Ray Unit
a. Control Panel.
b. The Arm Extension. The tube head is attached to
the arm extension which can rotate 360 ° horizontally
and vertically.
c. The Tube Head.
d. Filters and Collimators
The filter is located at the base of the cone. Dental
aircraft filters with a tube tension capacity <70 kV
have a minimum thickness of 2.5 mm. Collimator
serves to limit the size of the x-ray irradiation field.
I. Types of Dental X-rays
 Intra-oral X-ray technique
 Periapical X-ray technique
 Bite Wing technique
 Occlusal X-ray Technique
 Extra Oral X-ray Technique
 Panoramic X-ray technique
 Lateral technique
 Anterior Postero Technique
 Posterior Antero Technique
 Cephalometric technique
 Water's projection
 Reverse-Towne projection
 Submentovertex projections
J. Radiation effect
 Effects of Radiation on Oral Mucous Membranes
Radiation to the head and neck, especially the
nasopharynx, will involve a large part of the oral
mucosa. As a result, in an acute state there will be
side effects on the oral mucosa in the form of
mucositis which the patient feels as pain when
swallowing, dry mouth and loss of taste (taste).
 Effects of Radiation on the Salivarius Gland
Indicated by the reduced volume of saliva. The
amount and severity of salivary gland tissue
damage depends on the dose and duration of
 exposure. The mouth will become dry
(Xerostomia) and painful, as well as swelling and
pain due to reduced saliva, causing loss of
lubricating function.
 Effects of Radiation on Teeth
Tooth hard tissue damage (enamel, dentin,
cementum) results in dental caries.
Radiographically, the carious area is radiolucent
when compared to enamel or dentin. It is important
for the diagnostician to view radiographs in a
precise viewing situation with a clear view in order
to differentiate between restorations and normal
dental anatomy. There are two radiation effects on
teeth, namely direct and indirect radiation effects.
 Live Radiation Effects
This radiation effect occurs at the earliest from the
tooth seed, in the form of disruption of calcification
of the tooth seed, disruption of tooth seed
development and disturbance of tooth eruption.
 Indirect Radiation Effects
The indirect radiation effect occurs after the
formation of teeth and the eruption of normal teeth
in the oral cavity, then exposed to ionosation
radiation, it will reveal dental abnormalities such as
radiation caries. Usually radiation caries in some
teeth and even the entire region exposed to the
radiation beam, this condition is called radiation
caries rampant.
 Effects of Radiation on Bones
 Primary damage to bone is caused by irradiation
resulting in damage to the periosteal blood vessels
and cortical bone, which are normally thin.
Radiation can also damage osteoblasts and
osteoclasts. Bone marrow tissue becomes
hypovascular, hypoxic, and hypocellular.
 Effects of Radiation on Pulp
Apoptosis is a biological mechanism which is a
type of programmed cell death, which can occur in
both physiological and pathological conditions.
Apoptosis is used by multi-cell organisms to
remove cells that are no longer needed by the
body. Apoptosis in pulp fibroral tissue can occur
due to the radiation dose received during radiation
therapy is ± 200 rad so that apoptosis in pulp
fibrous cells increases in the pulp so that apart
from fibrous cells, other cells also die due to the
effects of radiation.