Dentistry

Radiology

Dental radiography is an art of recording images of a patient’s oral structures on film by using X-rays (roentgen rays). When the X-ray films are refined, the resulting radiographs supply the dental officer with a valuable diagnostic aid. A radiographic image is formed by a controlled burst of X-ray radiation which pierces oral structures at disparate levels, depending on differing anatomical densities, before striking the film or sensor. Due to less radiation teeth appear lighter which penetrates into the film. Dental caries, infections and other changes in the bone density, and the periodontal ligament appear darker because X-rays readily penetrate these less dense structures. Dental restorations (fillings, crowns) may appear lighter or darker, depending on the density of the material. When taking radiographs, the patients wear lead aprons and thyroid collars to shield their reproductive organs and thyroid glands. There is only one exception to this rule; when obtaining a panorex radiograph, the thyroid collar is not used since it blocks part of the X-ray beam.