Image Characteristics

Dr. Rehab Abdel Aziz

Maxillofacial Radiology & Diagnostic
Sciences
Maxillofacial Radiology
Qassim University
Purpose:

The purpose of this lecture is to detail the

concepts of x-ray beam quality and quantity,
define the concept of beam intensity, and discuss
how exposure factors influence these radiation
characteristics.
1. Describe the effect of both kilovoltage peak and milliamperage
on the quality and quantity of the x-ray beam.
2. Identify the range of kilovoltage and milliamperage required for
dental radiography.
3. Describe how increasing and decreasing exposure factors affect
the density and contrast of the film.
4. State the rules governing kilovoltage, milliamperage, distance,
and exposure time that are used when changing exposure
variables and it’s effects on film image quality.
5. Calculate an example of radiation intensity using the inverse
square law.
6. Explain how the half-value layer determines the penetrating
quality of the x-ray beam.
Image Characteristics
IMAGE CHARACTERISTICS

I-visual II-Geometric

Density Sharpness
(Definition)

Contrast Size

Shape
Visual Characteristics
VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS
I- Density
 It is the overall degree of darkening of an exposed film.
Primary factors controlling and influencing density
(Exposure factors)

1- Exposure time (Direct control).

2- mA (Direct control).
3- kVp (in direct influencing).
4- Focal spot-film distance (Direct control).
1- Exposure time

Exposure time = number of x-ray photons

↑↑ ET = ↑↑ number of x-rays produced = ↑↑ overall density and vice versa

1- Exposure time

exposure time Density

2- mA

mA density
MILLIAMPERAGE IN RELATION TO
DENSITY
 Optimum mA = proper quantily of current =

proper heating of filament = proper electrons

emitted = proper degree of blackening =

proper density.

 ↑↑mA = ↑↑ quantity (No of x-rays) = ↑↑ density .

3- kVp

kVp density
KILOVOLTAGE IN RELATION TO DENSITY
 Optimum kVp is from 60-90kVp

 ↑↑ kVp  ↑↑ energy of the beam  ↑↑ overall power of

penetration  ↑↑ hitting x-rays  ↑↑ density
(indirectly)

 It indirectly affects density of the final image

 (Since increasing the kV increaseS the number of x-

rays with more penetrating power that will fall on the
film and increase the darkening of the image).

 It is a measure of beam quality

4- source - film distance
the density when source film distance
because the divergence of x-ray beam

S F

S F
FOCAL SPOT (TARGET)- FILM – DISTANCE IN
RELATION TO DENSITY

INVERSE SQUARE LAW

 The intensity of radiation varies inversely as the
square of the target-film distance
(Target = source, focal spot, focus)
 Therefore the shorter the target - film - distance
 more x-rays (Quantity)  more density
Incorrect exposure factors (too
many x-rays or too much
energy; film too dark)

Correct exposure factors

Incorrect exposure factors (not

enough x-rays or energy too
low; film too light)
 . Factors, affecting intensity of the x-ray beam:

V. Half-Value Layer (HVL)

Aluminum filters are used to remove the low-energy,

less penetrating, longer wavelength x-rays. Aluminum
filters increase the mean penetrating capability of the
x-ray beam while reducing the intensity by one Half,
so termed HVL

The higher the half-value layer, the

more penetrating the beam
 Contrast
The difference in densities
between various regions on
a radiograph(difference
between black,white and
gray)
1- kVp:
kVp contrast long gray scale
kVp contrast short gray scale
2- sublect:
thickness, density and atomic number if increase

Increase contrast
 High Contrast
Short Scale

Black and White

(Few shades of gray)

Best for caries detection

 Low Contrast
Long Scale

Many shades of gray

Best for periapical or

periodontal evaluation
 White
Many gray
shades

Few gray
No white
shades

Black Black

Short gray scale Long gray scale

High Contast Low Contast

Subject contrast
kVp
 Fog

Represents increased film

density from causes other
than exposure to the primary
x-ray beam (scatter, improper
safelighting, improper film
storage, expired film)
Low Contrast

High Contrast
 Geometric
Characteristics
 magnification
sharpness
 Sharpness

Measures how well the details

(boundaries/edges) of an
object are reproduced on a
radiograph
 Penumbra

Partial shadow

Zone of unsharpness along

the edge of images in a
radiograph
Penumbra Umbra
Sharpness influenced by:

1. Focal spot size

2. Source – object (teeth) distance
3. Object (teeth) - film distance
4. Intensifying screens
5. Film cyrstal size
6. Motion
Radiation source as small as possible

Line Focus Principle

Source = target = focal spot = focus
Decrease focal spot size, increase sharpness
Increase target-teeth distance, increase sharpness

Target
Teeth
Umbra
Penumbra

film
Large distance from target to object
Decrease teeth-film distance, increase sharpness

Target
Teeth
Umbra
Penumbra
film

film
Intensifying screens decrease sharpness
Patient motion decreases sharpness
 Magnification( Image
size distortion
Increase in size(EQUAL ENLARGEMENT)

Magnification is affected
by:
Target-teeth distance
Teeth-film distance
Increase target-teeth distance, decrease magnification

Decrease teeth-film distance, decrease magnification

 Distortion

• Misrepresentation of the true size or shape

of an object
-MAGNIFICATION (size distortion)
-TRUE DISTORTION (shape
distortion)
 Distortion
Change in shape or relationship

Distortion affected by:

1. Film-teeth relationship
2. Beam alignment
Paralleling
Bisecting angle
Forshortening

Elongation
Summary:
• Quality refers to the mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam
and is controlled by the kilovoltage peak.

• Increased kilovoltage peak produves x-rays with increased energy, shorter

wavelength, and increased penetrating power; kilovoltage peak affects
density and contrast.

• Quantity refers to the number of x-rays produced and is controlled by the

milliamperage.

• Increased milliamperage produces an increased number of x-rays;

milliamperage affects density.

• Exposure time also influences the number of x-rays produced.

 Oral Radiology Principles And Interpretation 
Stuart C. White, Michael J. Pharoah. 7th Edition