The operating kilovoltage peak is the only exposure component that has a direct impact on the contrast of a dental radiograph. A balance between short-scale contrast and long-scale contrast is desirable in dental radiography.
Shorter wavelengths with greater energy are produced in the X-ray beam by higher kV. The more energy an X-ray beam possesses, the more penetrating power it has. Lowering the kV reduces the energy of the X-ray beam. (Soma)
A molecule is a more or less stable collection of two or more atoms linked together by chemical bonds.
During x-ray exposure, an extraoral film is put outside the mouth. Extraoral films are used to visually assess broad portions of the head or jaws. Panoramic and cephalometric films are two examples of frequent extraoral films.
The film speed controls how much exposure time is necessary to generate an image on the film. A fast film uses less radiation; the film reacts faster because the emulsion’s silver halide crystals are bigger. The larger the crystals, the faster the film speed.
High contrast or a short gray scale refers to the number of shades of gray between the extremes in a film that depicts very light and very dark areas.
The Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act, signed into law on October 18, 1968, empowered the Food and Drug Administration to establish federal radiation guidelines, monitor compliance, and undertake research. The act was aggressively enforced by the FDA’s Bureau of Radiological Health.
