EXTRA ORAL X- RAY FILM:

THE EXTRA ORAL FILM IS ONE THAT IS PLACED

OUTSIDE THE MOUTH DURING EXPOSURE.
THESE FILMS ARE USED TO EXAMINE AN AREA IN
AND AROUND THE JAW THAT CANNOT BE SEEN
BY INTRA ORAL FILMS SO EXAMINE LARGE
AREAS OF THE SKULL OR JAWS,
 COMMON EXTRA ORAL FILMS

Panoramic X-rays: show the entire mouth area — all the teeth
in both the upper and lower jaws — on a single X-ray

Cephalometric projections show an entire

side of the head. This X-ray looks at the
teeth in relation to the jaw and profile of
the individual. Orthodontists use this X-
ray
 • SIALOGRAM :

 uses a dye, which is injected into the salivary glands so

they can be seen on X-ray film.Dentists might order this
test to look for salivary gland problems, such as blockages,
or Sjogren’s syndrome (a disorder with symptoms
including dry mouth and dry eyes; this disorder can play a
role in tooth decay).

Dental computed tomography (CT) is a type

of imaging that looks at interior structures in
3-D (three dimensions). This type of imaging
is used to find problems in the bones of the
face such as cysts, tumors and fractures.
 EXTRA ORAL FILM PACKAGING
• EXTRAORAL FILM USED IN DENTAL
RADIOGRAPHY IS AVAILABLE IN 5X 7 INCH
AND 8 X 10 INCH SIZE
Extraoral film is not supplied in film packets. The
film is stacked in the box much like a deck of
cards. Because there is no wrapper to protect the
film from exposure to light, the film must be
loaded into a cassette in the darkroom
 TYPES OF EXTRA ORAL FILMS
NON SCREEN FILM:
These are used without the intensifying screens.
 Film emulsion is sensitive to direct X-ray exposure rather than fluorescent
light.
 Film has double emulsion like intra oral film but the emulsion is thicker.
 Increased thickness of emulsion make the film need less amount of radiation so
need less exposure time.
Screen film: ( Rigid and Flexible )
Screen film is designed to be sensitive to visible light spectrum.
 Screen films have 3 types: slow screen, medium - speed screen
and high speed screen.
 The screen film (emulsion) placed between 2 florescent screens in the cassette,
these made from (tiny calcium tungstate crystals or rare earth elements).
When exposed to X- ray photons will create a light (blue or green) and this
light in turn exposes the screen film to produce the image.
 COMPOSITION OF EXTRA ORAL FILM:
1_CASSETTE: A FLAT, LIGHT-TIGHT CONTAINER IN WHICH X-RAY FILMS ARE PLACED FOR
EXPOSURE TO IONIZING RADIATION AND USUALLY BACKED BY LEAD TO ELIMINATE THE
EFFECTS OF BACK SCATTER RADIATION, CONTAINING FRONT AND BACK INTENSIFYING
SCREENS.
Function
:
1. To contain a film
2. To exclude light 3. To maintain the
film in close, uniform
contact with both screens during the
exposure.
4. To protect the intensifying screens
from
physical damage
_ INTENSIFYING SCREEN
THEY ARE USED IN PAIRS AND ARE POSITIONED ON EITHER SIDE OF A DOUBLE
EMULSION FILM

Function
The presence of intensifying screens creates an image receptor
system that is 10 to 60 times more sensitive to X-rays than the film
alone.
Consequently, use of intensifying screens means a substantial
reduction in the dose of X-radiation to which the patient is
exposed. Intensifying screens are used with films for virtually all
extraoral radiography, including
panoramic, cephalometric, and skull projec-
tions.
1_Base: (polyethylene terephthalate). It act as a supportive
material
2_Reflecting layer (titanium dioxide): It helps in reflecting back
on to the phosphor layer any light that is emitted by it 3_Phosphor
layer (Radiosensitive phosphor salts tiny calcium tungstate
crystals or rare earth elements are incorporated into this layer of
the intensifying screen)
4_Coat (The coat is made up of plastic and It provides protection
to the underlying phosphor layer).
COMPOSITION OF INTENSIFYING SCREEN
 3_GRID
S
A grid is made up of alternating strips of lead (radiopaque absorbing
material) and plastic (radiolucent material) spacers.

The use of grids increases the patient exposure by two-fold. Therefore,

grids
should be used only when contrast on a radiograph is really necessary
The exposure time has to be doubled when using a grid. If the exposure
time is not changed, the resultant radiograph might show multiple thin
white lines, which minimize the density of the radiograph
Function
The function of a grid is to reduce the amount of
scattered radiation exiting a subject that reaches the film.
The grid, which is placed between the subject and the
film