The document discusses common errors that can occur in radiographs, including: 1) Dark or high density radiographs caused by errors in machine operation or processing such as excessive exposure time or developer concentration being too high. 2) Light or low contrast radiographs caused by insufficient exposure or processing errors like underdevelopment or depleted developer solution. 3) Other errors like double images from double exposure, blurred images from patient or tube movement, partial images from misalignment, and film fog from deteriorated film or contaminated solutions. The document provides definitions and examples of different types of errors that can occur and their potential causes.

1. Faulty Radiographs
Practical Module I
Dr. Irfan Adil Majid
Oral Medicine and
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology

2. What is the Error in Radiograph

3. Dark Radiographs / High Density Radiographs
Definition: “Density” is the Degree of “Blackening”
of Radiographic Film
 Errors in Machine  Processing Errors:
Operation:
 Overdevelopment
 Excessive milliamperage  Developer concentration
[mA] too high
 Excessive peak kilovoltage  Very high Developer
[Kvp] temperature
 Excessive time [mAs]  In-adequate fixation
 Accidental exposure to
 Film-source distance too light
short
 Improper safe-lighting

4. What is the Error in Radiograph

5. Light Radiographs/ Insufficient or Low
Contrast
Definition: “Contrast” is the difference in “Optical Density”
between two points on a film
 Errors in Exposure:  Processing Errors:
 Underdevelopment
 Insufficient Milliamperage  1. Temperature too low
 Insufficient Kilovoltages Peak  2. Short developing time
 Insufficient exposure time  3. Thermometer Inaccurate
 Film-source distance too
great
 Film packet reversed in  Depleted developer solution
mouth  Diluted or contaminated
developer
 Excessive fixation

6. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Light radiograph
 “Herring Bone”
Appearance [Image of
Lead Foil]
 Cause: Reverse
exposure of X-ray film

7. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Dark Spots or Lines:
 Fingerprint
contamination
 Nail Mark

8.  Excessive bending of
film

9.  Film in contact with
tank or another film
during “Fixation”
 Excessive Roller
Pressure [Automatic
processor]
 Dirty Rollers [Automatic
processor ]

10. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Light Spot
 Film in contact
with another film
during developing

11.  Film contaminated
with fixer before
processing

12. What is the Error in Radiograph

13. Yellow / Brown Stains on radiograph
 Causes:
Depleted Developing Solution
Depleted Fixing solution
Insufficient washing
Contaminated solutions

14. What is the Error in Radiograph
1. Double Images
 Cause: Double
Exposure

15. 2. Excessive bending of
the film packet
during the exposure
3. Blurred Images
 Cause:
Movement of the
patient during the
exposure
OR
Movement of x-ray
Tube Head

16. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Partial Images / Cone Cut
 Cause:
1. Movement of patient’s
head
2. Movement of X-ray tube
head
3. Position Indicating
device not aligned with
the radiographic film

17. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Fore-shortening
 Cause: Increased
vertical Angulation
 Elongation
 Cause: Reduced
vertical Angulation

18. What is the Error in Radiograph
 Horizontal overlap of
crowns
 Cause: Horizontal
o
Angulation more than 0

20. FILM FOG
Any density in a film that is not produced as part of the image-forming
exposure is referred to as “FOG”
• Deteriorated Film
1. Stored at high temperature
2. Stored at high humidity
3. Exposed to radiation
4. Outdated Film
• Improper Safe-lighting
1. Improper Filter
2. Excessive Bulb wattage
3. Inadequate distance between Safelight and work surface
4. Prolonged Exposure to Safelight

21. FILM FOG
• Contaminated solutions
• Light leaks
1. Cracked Safelight Filter
2. Light from Doors, Vents, or other sources in
Dark room
• Overdevelopment

22. • Film type: Image definition is poorer with
indirect-action film than with direct-action
film
• Speed of intensifying screens: Fast screens
result in loss of detail
• Overexposure: Causing “Burn-out” of the
edges of a thin object