common radiographic errors – Dr. G's Toothpix

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Radiographic Quality Evaluation: Bad Pantomographs (Part 3)

The last two criteria – 5 and 6. 5. Patient has tongue to roof of the mouth and lips around bite block or closed together gently. Error: Patient does not have tongue to roof of the mouth creating a radiolucent band over the maxillary teeth. Note the radiolucent band over…

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Radiographic Quality Evaluation: Bad Pantomographs (Part 2)

Onto criteria 3 and 4. 3. Frankfort horizontal plane is positioned on the correct anatomical landmarks creating a slight concave occlusal plane. Error: Improper patient positioning of the Frankfort horizontal plane in the unit causing distortion of the final image. Note the V-shaped occlusal plane Correction: Move chin superiorly and…

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Radiographic Quality Evaluation: Bad Pantomographs (Part 1)

This week will be covering the first 2 criteria for an ideal pantomograph and what happens to the final image when they are not met. 1. Patient has anterior teeth in notches on bite block. Error: Patient positioned too far anteriorly or posteriorly in the unit creating minification (too far…

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Radiographic Technique: Patient preparation

I thought I’d end this short series on radiographic technique dealing with a more humorous aspect of the radiographs I see. This has to do with proper patient preparation. Patient preparation is the removal of metal, partials or complete dentures from the path of the x ray beam. As a…

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Radiographic Technique: Central Ray Entry

What is central ray entry? Central ray entry is where the PID/cone is centered on the patient. While this may seem to be the easiest thing to do, central ray entry errors are very common. There really is only one central ray entry error and that is when the PID…