1. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. Chapter 28 Film Mounting and Viewing

2. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 2 Dental Radiography  Questions  How are films mounted and what types of mounts are available?  What information is placed on a film mount?  What are the best conditions for viewing dental radiographs?

3. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 3 Dental Radiography  Chapter 28 Reading  Iannucci & Howerton(pp. 345-356)

4. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 4 Dental Radiography  Chapter 28 Outline  Film Mounting and Viewing  Film mounting  Film viewing

5. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 5 Introduction  Purpose  To present the basic concepts of film mounting and film viewing  To describe the step-by-step procedures that must be followed to prepare for the interpretation of radiographs

6. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 6 Film Mounting  Iannucci & Howerton(p. 345)  Basic Concepts  Normal Anatomy and Film Mounting  Film Mounting Methods  Step-by-Step Procedures

7. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 7 Basic Concepts  Iannucci & Howerton (p. 346)  Mount  “to place in an appropriate setting, as for display or study”  Film mounting in dental radiography  Placement of radiographs in a supporting structure or holder

8. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 8 What Is a Film Mount?  Iannucci & Howerton(pp. 346-347) (Figs. 28-1, 28-2, 28-3)  Film mount may be cardboard, plastic, or vinyl.  It is used to support and arrange dental radiographs in anatomic order.  It may be opaque or clear.  An opaque mount masks surrounding light.  It is available in many sizes and configurations.

9. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 9 Who Mounts Films?  Any trained dental professional (i.e., dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant) who possesses knowledge of the normal anatomical landmarks of the maxilla, mandible, and related structures is qualified to mount films.  Usually mounting film is the responsibility of the office dental radiographer.

10. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 10 When and Where Are Films Mounted?  Should be mounted after processing  Requires a clean, dry, light-colored work surface in front of an illuminator or viewbox

11. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 11 Why Use a Film Mount?  Quicker and easier to view and interpret  Easily stored and available for interpretation  Decreases chances of error in determining the patient’s right and left side  Decreases handling of individual films and prevents damage to emulsion  Masks illumination adjacent to individual radiographs

12. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 12 What Information is Placed on a Film Mount?  Patient’s full name  Date of exposure  Dentist’s name  Radiographer’s name

13. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 13 Are Mounts Used with Digital Imaging?  Iannucci & Howerton(p. 348) (Figs. 28- 4, 28-5, 28-6)  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.

14. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 14 Normal Anatomy and Film Mounting  Iannucci & Howerton(p. 348) (Table 28-1)  Identification of landmarks helps distinguish maxillary periapical films from mandibular periapical films.

15. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 15 Film Mounting Methods  Iannucci & Howerton(pp. 348-349) (Fig. 28-7, 28- 8, 28-9)  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 outside the patient, facing in. “A pimple not a dimple” “A pimple not a dimple”  Lingual mounting  The films are viewed as if you are standing on the patient’s tongue.

16. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 16 Step-by-Step Procedure  Iannucci & Howerton(pp. 349-351) (Figs. 28-10 through 28-16) (Procedure 28-1)  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.

17. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 17 Step-by-Step Procedure  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.

18. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 18 Film Viewing  Iannucci & Howerton(p. 352)  Basic Concepts  Step-by-Step Procedures  Helpful Hints

19. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 19 Basic Concepts  Film viewing is the examination of dental radiographs.

20. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 20 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.

21. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 21 What Equipment Is Required for Film Viewing?  Iannucci & Howerton (pp. 352-353) (Figs. 28-17, 28-18, 28-19)  Light source  This should be large enough to accommodate a variety of mounted films.  The light should be of uniform intensity and evenly diffused.  Magnification  A magnifying glass may help in interpretation.

22. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 22 When and Where Are Films Viewed?  Best viewed in a room with dim light

23. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 23 Step-by-Step Procedure  Iannucci & Howerton(pp. 352-354) (Figs. 28-20, 28-21) (Procedure 28-2)  View films in sequential order  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

24. Copyright © 2012, 2006, 2000, 1996 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. 24 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.