MISCELLANEOUS TECHNIQUE
PROBLEMS
(11)
PSP and film
Patient’s finger positioned in front of the sensor
Patient or x-
ray tube head moves
during exposure
Sensor placement is MORE critical with
solid-state sensors
There is a smaller active image capture area
Maxillary Premolar PA
(4)
Maxillary Molar PA
(4)
Premolar Bitewing (BW)
(4)
Incorrect Placement
*Cotton roll placement
Between biteblock and opposing teeth;
NOT between biteblock and imaged teeth
Incorrect Sensor Placement
Absence of apical structures
(2)
– Cause: Sensor not positioned over the apical
area in the mouth
– Bite block not against occlusal/incisal edge;
OR patient not biting down
ncorrect Sensor Placement
“Tipping”
i.e., Dropped film corner
– Cause:
Sensor not
placed parallel with the
occlusal / incisal
surface of teeth
Set the Horizontal Angle
* The Central Ray should
be directed
between
the interproximal
contacts of interest
perpendicular to
sensor
Incorrect Horizontal
Angulation
* Cause:
Central ray
is not projected
perpendicular to
sensor
Incorrect Vertical Angulation
Foreshortened images
(2)
– Cause: Excessive
vertical angulation
– Beam is
perpendicular to the
sensor
Incorrect Vertical Angulation
Foreshortened images
– With smaller active area,
parts of image are missed
Incorrect Vertical Angulation
Elongated images
(2)
– Cause: Insufficient
vertical angulation
– Beam is
perpendicular to the
tooth/teeth
PID not properly aligned
with the sensor holding device
from;
- incorrect XCP Assembly
- poor alignment of PID with XCP
PID not
directed at center of
film
II. EXPOSURE PROBLEMS
(5)
PROBLEMS 1, 2, & 3 are less dramatic
because
post-exposure image processing by
the software immediately corrects large
exposure discrepancies.
HIGH DENSITY Image
1. Overexposed
(3)
a. Increased time
b. Increased mA
c. Increased kV
EXPOSURE PROBLEMS
Overexposed images
– Cause:
Excessive
exposure to x-
radiation from
excess time, kVp,
mA, or any
combination of
these
TIME AND EXPOSURE FACTOR
PROBLEMS
* Underexposed image
(2)
– Cause: Insufficient
exposure time, kVp, mA,
or any combination of
these;
– in SoD Radiology Clinic,
time is the main cause