• the alignment of the central x-ray beam in the horizontal and vertical planes

• the positioning of the tubehead and direction of hte central ray in a side-to-side (horizontal) plane

• the positioning of the tubhead and direction of the central ray in an up-and-down (vertical) plane

• a clear, unexposed area on a dental radiograph that occurs when the position-indicating device (PID) is misaligned
• the x-ray beam is not centered over the film and thus does not expose the entire film

• the superimposition of adjacent tooth surfaces

• images of the teeth that appear long and distorted (results due to insufficient vertical angulation - too flat)
• this error occurs with the bisecting technique

• an exposurer error that results in a dark film
• can result due to excessive ... 
  • ↑ exposure time
  • ↑ kilovoltage
  • ↑ mA
• to correct, ↓ exposure time

• an exposure error that results in a light film
• can result from inadequate... 
  • ↓ exposure time
  • ↓ kilovoltage
  • ↓ mA
• to correct, ↑ exposure time

 

• images of the teeth that appear short with bluned roots (due to excessive vertical angulation - too steep)
• this error occurs with the bisecting technique

• an image on a dental radiograph that occurs due to being placed in the mouth backward and exposed (also called tire-track pattern)

• an error on a dental radiograph that results from the patient's finger being placed in front of the film

• the film appears clear due to not being exposed

• the film appears black due to accidentally being exposed to white light

• results in overlapped contacts on the film
• due to the central ray not being aimed directly through the interproximal spaces

• results in a radiographic image that is not the same length as the tooth
• the image appears either shorter or longer than the actual size (foreshortened or elongated images)

proper film placemetn for bite-wing radiographs

• includes the crowns of both maxillary & mandibular teeth
• includes the interpoximal contact areas
• includes the crest bone

*molar shots must include the distal of the 2nd premolar

*premolar shots must include the distal of the canine

• image appears stretched and distorted
• caused by excessively bent film due to the curvature of the hard palate or heavey finger pressure

• a thin radiolucent (black) line appears on the film
• results from a creased film that causes the film emulsion to crack

• a double image appears on the film due to being exposed in the patients mouth twice

• blurred images appear on the film due to the patient moving during exposure of the film

• light images with a herringbone pattern on the film due to the film being placed in the mouth backwards 
• ALWAYS place the white side of the film adjacent to the teeth, facing the PID