CHAPTER 6 De n ta l X-Ra y Eq u ip m e n t
S U M M A RY • The dental radiographer must be familiar with how x-ray equipment, receptor holders, beam alignment devices, and collimating devices are used in dentistry. • State and local governments regulate how dental x-ray equipment is used. Depending on state and local radiation safety codes, dental x-ray equipment must be registered, inspected, and monitored periodically. Dental x-ray units may be used to expose intraoral or extraoral receptors. • Portable dental x-ray units allow for exposures at sites outside of the dental of ce. • The typical intraoral dental x-ray machine consists of three component parts: (1) tubehead, (2) extension arm, and (3) control panel. • A receptor holder is used to stabilize an intraoral receptor, either a lm or a sensor. • A beam alignment device helps the dental radiographer position the PID in relation to the tooth and the receptor. • A collimating device may be used to further restrict the size of the x-ray beam and reduce patient exposure.
BIBLIOGRAPHY Frommer HH, Stabulas-Savage JJ: Operator protection. In Radiology for the dental professional, ed 9, St Louis, 2011, Mosby. Frommer HH, Stabulas-Savage JJ: Patient protection. In Radiology for the dental professional, ed 9, St Louis, 2011, Mosby. Johnson ON: The periapical examination. In Essentials of dental radiography for dental assistants and hygienists, ed 9, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2011, Prentice Hall. White SC, Pharoah MJ: Intraoral projections. In Oral radiology: principles and interpretation, ed 7, St Louis, 2014, Mosby.
Q U IZ Q U E S T IO N S Multiple Choice
____ 1. No federal standards existed for dental x-ray machines manufactured before the year: a. 1954 b. 1964 c. 1974 d. 1984 ____ 2. Dental receptors placed inside the mouth are termed: a. intraoral b. extraoral c. occlusal d. all of the above ____ 3. The component part of the dental x-ray machine that contains the x-ray tube is termed the: a. control panel b. tubehead
____ 4.
____ 5.
____ 6.
____ 7.
____ 8.
59
c. extension arm d. console The component part of the dental x-ray machine that allows movement and positioning of the tubehead is termed the: a. control panel b. extension arm c. console d. position-indicating device (PID) The dental radiographer can regulate the x-ray beam (kilovoltage, milliamperage, time) through the use of the: a. control panel b. extension arm c. tubehead d. PID An instrument that is used to help the dental radiographer position the PID in relation to the tooth and receptor is the: a. receptor holder b. beam alignment device c. collimating device d. none of the above A device that is used to stabilize an intraoral receptor is termed: a. beam alignment b. collimator c. receptor holder d. none of the above Which one is used to restrict the size of the x-ray beam to the size of an intraoral receptor? a. collimating device b. receptor holder c. beam alignment device d. none of the above
True or False
____ 9. The federal government dictates how dental x-ray equipment is used. ____ 10. State and local governments dictate codes that pertain to the use of dental x-ray equipment. ____ 11. Portable dental x-ray units are approved in all states. ____ 12. Studies have shown that a portable dental x-ray unit can be used to produce high-quality diagnostic images. ____ 13. With a portable dental x-ray unit, operator exposure is limited by using a lead acrylic disk shield around the PID. ____ 14. An example of a collimating device is the Tru-Align Aiming Device. ____ 15. An example of a beam alignment device is the Snap-A-Ray.