INTENSIFYING SCREEN

AND GRIDS

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology

Learning objective
■ Intensifying screen
– Composition
– Working mechanism
– Uses
■ Grid
– Composition
– Working mechanism
– Function
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Intensifying Screen

■ Absorb x-rays and

emit visible light,
which exposes the film.

■ Designed to be sensitive to:

– UV (ultraviolet): 350nm,
– Blue light :300 to 500nm,
– Green light: 545nm.
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Function:

■ 10-60 times more sensitive to x-rays than film

alone.

■ Reduces the dose of x radiation to the

patient.

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 Fluorescence
■ Luminescence refers to the emission of light
by a substance.

■ Fluorescence: form of luminescence produced

when light is emitted instantaneously (within 10 -8
sec of the stimulation).

■ Phosphorescence: emission of light is delayed

beyond 10-8 sec.
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■ Fluorescence in radiology: the ability of
crystals of certain inorganic salts (called
phosphors) to emit light when excited by x-
rays.

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Composition of Intensifying
screen:

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Rare Earth Elements Used in Intensifying
Screens
Emission Phosphor

Green Gadolinium oxysulfide,

terbium activated

Blue and Ultra-Violet Yttrium tantalite,

niobium activated

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Factors affecting speed and resolution
of a screen:

■Phosphor type and phosphor conversion efficiency

■Thickness of phosphor layer and coating weight.

■Presence of reflective layer

■Presence of light-absorbing dye in phosphor binder

or protective coating

■Phosphor grain size

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Non Screen Vs Screen Film
Characteristics Direct exposure Indirect exposure
film film
Exposed with Only by X-rays Mainly by visible
light
Used Without Screen With screen
Emulsion layer Thick Thin
Processing time More Less
Resolution More Less

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 Grids

• Composed of alternating strips of a

radiopaque material (lead) and
radiolucent material (plastic).

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 Grids

• Composed of alternating strips of a

radiopaque material (lead) and
radiolucent material (plastic).

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Function:
• Remove 80-90 % scattered radiation.
• Reduce film fog and improve
radiographic contrast.

Disadvantage:
• Increases patient exposure.
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Types of Grids:

1. Stationary

2. Moving (Potter Bucky)

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Pseudo-focused Grids

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Grid Ratio:
■ Grid ratio= thickness of lead strip
distance between lead strip

■ Preferred ratio: 8-10

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Gridded Intra-Oral Peri-Apical Radiographs

■ A radio-opaque metal mesh or a grid placed

between the object/structures to be imaged
and the radiographic film/sensor at the time of
x-ray exposure.

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Use of gridded IOPA-R

■ Surgeries involving removal of the third molar,

■ Procedures involving root resection,

■ Endodontics,

■ Evaluation of bone grafts

■ Any dental procedure that involves measuring

linear dimensions on a radiograph.

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Summary:
■ Intensifying screen
– Composition
– Working mechanism
– Uses
■ Grid
– Composition
– Working mechanism
– Function
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Thank you!

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