film mounting and viewing Flashcards
(19 cards)
what is mounting?
to place in an appropriate setting, as for display or study
what is film mounting in dental radiography?
placement of radiographs in a supporting structure or holder
what is a film mount?
- may be cardboard, plastic or vinyl
- used to support and arrange dental radiographs in anatomic order
- may be opaque or clear; an opaque mount masks surrounding light (preferred)
- available in many sizes and configurations
who mounts films?
- any trained dental professional is qualified may mount films
when and where are films mounted?
- should be mounted after processing
- requires a clean, dry, light-coloured work surface in front of an illuminator or viewbox
why use a film mount?
- quicker and easier to view and interpret
- easily strode and available for interpretation
- decreases chances of error in determining the patient’s left and right side
- decreases handling of individual films and prevents damage to emulsion
- masks illumination adjacent to individual radiographs, thus aids interpretation
what information is placed on a film mount?
- patient’s full name
- date of exposure
- dentist’s name
are film mounts used with digital imaging?
yes
- most digital imaging systems allow the dental radiographer to choose the appropriate-size mount
- the mounts should be labeled with the patient’s full name and date of exposure
normal anatomy and film mounting
- identification of landmarks helps distinguish maxillary periapical films from mandibular periapical films
film mounting methods
- an identification dot is located in one corner of each intraoral film packet
- all dots must face the same direction when mounted
labial mounting
- our convention is the dot is raised when viewing as if you are looking directly at the patient
- ‘a pimple not a dimple’
lingual mounting
- films are viewed as if you are standing on the patient’s tongue - no longer recommended
- view as if in the pt mouth
step-by-step procedure for film mounting
- put a clean paper towel over the work surface in front of the viewbox
- turn on the viewbox
- label and date the film mount
- wash and dry hands
- examine each radiograph, identify the dot, and place each film with the dot up
- sort films into bite-wings with both maxillary and mandibular teeth, vertical anterior periapicals, and horizontal posterior periapicals
- arrange the films on the work surface in anatomic order
- place each film in the mount and secure it
- check the radiographs
what is film viewing?
the examination of dental radiographs
who views films?
- all members of the dental team may interpret radiographs
- it is the responsibility of the dentist to establish a final or definitive interpretation and diagnosis
what equipment is required for film viewing?
- light source: should be large enough to accommodate a variety of mounted films; the light should be of uniform intensity and evenly diffused; viewbox or illuminator
- magnification: a magnifying gland may help in interpretation
when and where are films viewed?
- immediately after mounting to verify the correct arrangement of the films in the mount
- best viewed in a room with dim light
examine films for:
- unerupted, missing, and impacted teeth
- dental caries and the size and shape of the pulp cavities
- bony changes, the level of alveolar bone, and calculus
- roots and periapical areas
- remaining areas
helpful hints**
- use a viewbox; avoid holding films up to light
- do block out light around the film
- use a magnifying glass
- view films immediately after mounting
- view under optimal conditions
- use a definite order to view films
- record findings in the patient record
