Dental Radiology Terms: 1

ALARA

As Low As Reasonably Achievable.

Collimator

helps eliminate peripheral radiation

Dosimeter

a device that measures cumulative radiation

Primary Beam

the main flow of x-rays from the x-ray machine

Primary Radiation

The rays coming from the primary beam

Scatter Radiation

Rays deflected from exposed tissue to adjacent tissues, or rays deflected within the tube head.

rem

a unit of radiation exposure. "biological dose.

What is the purpose of dental x-rays?

To Diagnose

What causes the dark area on the developed film?

x-ray striking the film

What does the mA setting control?

The quantity of x-rays

What does the kVp setting control?

The wavelength and penetrating power of the x-rays.

developer

the solution that reacts with the film emulsion to produce a visible image

emulsion

the thin coating on the sides of the x-ray

fixer

solution that dissolves away silver bromide crystals in order to stop the film from being sensitive to light

silver bromide

a substance suspended in the emulsion of x-ray film

What is the normal temperature of the processing solutions?

68 degrees F

How long is the finishing rinse in manual processing?

20 minutes

The automatic processor feeds the film through which stages of processing?

developer, fixer, rinse

How often should the solutions be changed in manual processing?

once every two weeks, or more.

bite-wings

shows the crowns of the upper and lower posterior teeth

contrast

the difference in density between adjacent areas of an image

density

the blackness of an image

elongation

an error in vertical angulation