COMMON ERRORS IN

DENTAL RADIOGRAPHY

Prepared by Dr. G. Toledo

Dr. D. Lim
EQUIPMENT
PREPARATION

 Set exposure factors (kilovoltage,

milliamperage and exposure time)
 Prepare film holders
Unexposed Film

CAUSES:
 Failure to turn on
the x-ray machine
 Electrical failure

 Malfunction of x-ray
machine
Overexposed Film

Causes:
 Excessive exposure
time
 Excessive
kilovolvltage or
milliamperage
 Combination of
these
Underexposed film

Causes:
 Inadequate
exposure time
 Inadequate
kilovoltage or
milliamperage
 Combination of
these
PATIENT PREPARATION
 Adjust the level of the chair to
comfortable working height of operator
 The arch to be exposed must be parallel
to the floor and the midsagittal plane
must be perpendicular to the floor
 Place lead apron over the patient
 Remove all objects from the mouth that
may interfere with film exposure
FILM PLACEMENT
 The tubeside (white
side) of the film
should always face
the teeth
FILM PLACEMENT

 For anterior exposure, the films are

placed vertically
 For posterior exposure, the films are
placed horizontally
 The identification dot of the film is
always placed at the incisal or occlusal
area
FILM PLACEMENT
 The occlusal end of
the film should
extend 1/8 inch
beyond the incisal
or occlusal surfaces
FILM PLACEMENT
 Edge of the film
should be placed
parallel to the
incisal/ occlusal
surfaces of the
teeth
FILM PLACEMENT
 Always center the
film over the area
to be examined
PARALLELING
TECHNIQUE
 Film is placed
parallel to the long
axis of the tooth
 Central ray of x-ray
beam is directed
perpendicular to
film and long axis of
the tooth
 Long PID or cone is
used
Film holder is used to keep
the film parallel to the long
axis of the tooth
Vertical Angulation
 Central ray of x-ray
beam must be
directed
perpendicular to the
long axis of the
tooth
Horizontal Angulation

Central ray of x-ray

beam must be
directed through
contact areas
between the teeth
Incorrect Vertical
Angulation
 Foreshortened
images
Cause:
Too steep vertical
angulation
Incorrect Vertical
Angulation
Elongated images
Cause:
Too flat vertical
angulation
Incorrect Horizontal
Angulation
Overlapping contact
areas
BISECTING ANGLE
TECHNIQUE
 Film is placed on the lingual surface of
the teeth
 An angle is formed between the tooth
and the film. The operator should
visualize an imaginary line dividing the
angle formed by the film and long axis
of the tooth
BISECTING ANGLE
TECHNIQUE
 Central ray of the x-ray beam should be
directed perpendicular to imaginary bisector
BISECTING ANGLE
TECHNIQUE
Film Stabilization
 Film Holders

 Finger Holding Method

Film Holders
 Finger Holding Method
 Patient’s thumb is used to position maxillary films
 Patient’s index finger is used to position
mandibular films
 Patient’s right hand is used for exposure on left
side
 Patient’s left hand is used for exposure on right
side
 Patient should press the film gently at cervical
portion of the tooth
Patient’s finger should be
behind the tooth and film
Phalangioma
The distal phalanx of
finger is seen in the
radiograph
Correct Vertical Angulation
Correct Horizontal
Angulation
 Central ray of the x-
ray beam is
perpendicular to the
curvature of the
arch and through
the contact areas of
the teeth
Incorrect Vertical
Angulation
Incorrect Horizontal
Angulation
Miscellaneous Errors
 Double Exposure
Cause:
Film was exposed in
the patient’s mouth
twice
Movement

Cause:
Movement of the
patient
MANUAL PROCESSING OF
FILMS
 Developing
 Rinsing
 Fixing
 Washing
 Drying
The Darkroom

 Must be light-tight
 Safelight must be at least 4 feet away
from the film
 Film should not be exposed to
safelight for more than 2-3 minutes
 Working area should be clean and dry
to avoid contamination of the films
Developing and Fixing
Solutions
 Identify the solutions in the dark room
 Check the levels of the solutions
 Stir the solutions (separately) to blend
the chemicals and equalize the
temperature
 Check the temperature of the
developing solution*
PROCESSING ERRORS
Underdeveloped film
Causes:
 Inadequate
development time
 Too cool developing
solution
 Depleted
developing solution
Overdeveloped film

Causes:
 Excessive
development time
 Too warm
developing solution
 Concentrated
developing solution
Reticulation of Emulsion
 Sudden
temperature change
between developer
and water bath
Developer Spots

Cause:
Film contaminated
with developing
solution prior to
processing
Fixer Spots

 White spots on the film

Cause:
Film contaminated with fixing solution
prior to processing
Fingerprint artifact

Cause:
Film is touched by
fingers
contaminated with
fluoride or
developer
Static Electricity

Cause:
 Opening a film
packet quickly
Scratched Film
 Film emulsion is
removed from the
film base by sharp
object
Light Leak

Causes:
 Accidental exposure
of film to white light
 Torn or defective
film packets that
expose a portion of
the film to light
Fogged Film
Causes:
 Improper safelighting
and light leaks in the
darkroom
 Improper film storage

 Outdated films

 Contaminated
processing solutions
Other Processing Errors

Developer Cut-off
Cause:
Undeveloped portion of film due to low
level of developer
Appearance:
Straight white border
Fixer Cut-Off

 Cause:
Unfixed portion of the film due to low
level of fixer
 Appearance

Straight black border

Yellow-brown stains

Causes:
 Exhausted developer or fixer

 Insufficient fixing time

 Insufficient rinsing
Diagnostic Radiograph
 Must show images
with optimum
density, contrast,
definition and
detail.
 Must show images
with least distortion
Thank you!