Dental Intraoral X-Ray Films: Classification And Clinical Uses

Dental Intraoral X-Ray Films: Classification And Clinical Uses

Write short note on intraoral X-ray films.
Answer. An intraoral X-ray film serves as a recording medium or image receptor. A latent image is recorded in the X-ray film when it is exposed to information-carrying X-ray photons.

• Intraoral films are used in the oral cavity.
• These films are small in size and are coated over both sides which causes few radiations to make an image.

dental x-ray film types

• Commonly single film packets and sometimes double film packets are used.
• Only D–speed and E–speed films are used for intra- oral radiography. E or Ekta speed films should be used in the clinics as they allow good radiographic visualization with the minimum radiation exposure.
• Intraoral films are available in plastic film packet.

Classification of an X-ray Film

Types of dental radiographic films, Types of intraoral Films

Mainly, the intraoral films are divided based on their clinical use, i.e.

Periapical Films

• They are usually used to record crowns, roots and periapical areas related to tooth.
• Periapical films are given various numbers, i.e.
  • No 0 for children (22 × 35 mm)
  • No 1 for anterior adult projection (24 × 40 mm)
  • No. 2 for posterior adult projection (31 × 41 mm)

Bitewing Films

• They are used to record the crown of maxillary and mandibular teeth in one film.
• These films consist of a paper tab that projects from the middle of the film, on which the patient bites to support the film.
• This film helps in the detection of interproximal caries, visualizing the alveolar crest and inthe assessment of periodontal disease.

dental x-ray film types

• Various sizes of the film are:
  • Size 0 for child (posterior) (22 × 35 mm)
  • Size 1 for child(anterior) (24 × 40 mm)
  • Size 2 for adult (posterior) (31 × 41 mm)
  • Size 3 for adult (anterior) (27 × 54 mm)

Intraoral and extraoral X-ray films

Occlusal Films

• Size of this film is four times the routine periapical films, i.e., 60 × 75 mm.
• It shows larger areas of the maxilla and mandible.
• It is held in position by letting the patient bite lightly on the film to support it between occlusal surface of each jaw.