FAULTY
RADIOGRAPHS
DR. HARITMA
NIGAM
WHY ?
WHEN ?
WHERE
?
HOW ?
IMAGIN
Ideal radiograph
Complete area of interest, complete film
Density, contrast
Sharpness
No Distortion
No Magnification
WHY ?
Technique and projection errors
a)Patient preparation errors
Radiographic artefact
Blurred image
Pressure mark
b)Film placement
Double image Reversed film
Crown not shown Apices cut off
Distortion Dropped film corner
Film Fog
Patient preparation errors
Radiographic Artefact
Dental appliances, body
piercings, jewellery left in the
mouth during exposure will
appear as radiopaque artefact
superimposed over the dental
image
Correction- All these items should be
removed before placing the film
Film Placement Errors
TYRE TRACKS OR
HERRING BONE EFFECT
CAUSE: Back side CORRECTION:
of the film with the
lead foil towards
Pebbled side on the
front side of the film
cone towards the cone
ERROR :
APICES CUT
OFF
CAUSE:
Improper
placement
CORRECTION: No more than 1/8th
inch of the film edge should extend
beyond the incisal-occlusal
ERROR:
CROWN NOT
SHOWN
CAUSE:
Improper
placeme
nt
CORRECTION: No more than
1/8th inch of the film edge
should extend beyond the
incisal-occlusal surfaces of the
ERROR:
DROPPED
FILM CORNER
CAUSE:
Edge not
placed on
occlusal
surface
CORRECTION: Make certain that the
edge of the film is parallel to the
incisal-occlusal surface
ERROR: AREA OF
INTEREST NOT
SHOWN
CAUSE:
IMPROPER
FOCUSING
CORRECTION: Center the film over the
teeth to be radiographed.
ERROR:
BLACK
LINE
CAUSE: Bending
of the film
CORRECTION:
Avoid unnecessary
bending of the
ERROR:
DISTORTI
ON
CAUSE: Film
is bent as
the patient
bites on the
film holder
CORRECTIO
N: Bite
gently
ERROR:
ELONGATION
FORESHORTENI
ELONGATION
NG
CORRECTION:
Decrease
vertical
CAUSE: angulation.
EXCESSIV
E
FORESHORTENIN
G
DECREASE CORRECTION:
Increase vertical
angulation.
Elongation Shortened
Overlapped contacts ERRO
R
CAUSE: a) Due to
improper horizontal
angulation
b) Central ray was
not directed
through the inter
proximal spaces
CORRECTION: Direct
the X-ray beam
through the
ERROR : CONE
CUT/ PARTIAL
IMAGE
CAUSE: Cone
of radiation
not covering
area of
interest, not CORRECTION: Cone
using film is properly centered
holder over the area of
interest and the film,
both vertically and
horizontally
ERROR :
CAUSE: A) Film
not exposed
B) Exposed film
first put in the
fixing solution.
CORRECTION: Ensure
that the X-ray machine
is
ERROR: BLACK
FILM
Cause: Film exposed
to light.
Correction: Handling
of the exposed and
unexposed film
should be done
carefully
ERROR :
FAINT
IMAGE/ LOW
DENSITY
CAUSE: A)Too
short an
exposure
Too low kVp
Too low Ma
CORRECTION:
B) Improper A)Set exposure time
development correctly or
( Time, check calibration of
temperature, exposure time
contaminated
, diluted B) check accuracy, Replace
developer) developer
C) Excessive C) Regulate the time for
fixation fixing as per the time table.
ERROR :
HIGH
DENSITY
CAUSE:
A)Exposure
parameters
B)
Overdevelopment
CORRECTIO C) Inadequate
CAUS ERROR :
E:
CORRECTION
: Keep
exposed
films
ERROR :ORANGE
PEEL APPEARANCE
CAUSE:
Sudden extreme
temperature
changes in
processing.
CORRECTION:
Maintain
uniform
processing
ERROR :
BLACK
SPOT.
CAUSE: Dust
in contact
with the
undeveloped
film
CORRECTIO
N:
ERROR :
WHITE
SPOT
CAUSE: Dust
present on
the films, Film
CORRECTION:
contamination
Clean to prevent
with fixer
dust and dirt
before
particles from
processing
ERROR : CAUSE:
YELLOWISH Exhausted
BROWN Fixer
DISCOLORATIO
N Insufficient
rinsing
Prolonged
developme
nt
CORRECTIO
N:
ERROR :
CAUS
E:
CORRECTIO
N:
ERROR :
CAUS
E:
CORRECTIO
N
ERROR :
FILM FOG
CAUSE:
1. Light leaks in the
darkroom
.
Correction: Check vents,
doors and walls for leaks,
cracked safe light filter.
2. Improper safe light.
Correction: Reduce
ERROR :
SMUDGE
/ FINGER
PRINT
CAUSE:
Finger
prints of
finger
abrasion
s
CORRECTION:
Have dry fingers when handling
film (processing and mounting).
ERROR :
CAUS
E:
CORRECTIO
N
ERROR
CAUS
E:
CORRECTION:
Install an
electric
humidifier .
The relative
humidity in
the dark room
should 50 to
Thank you
