QUALITY OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGES: LABORATORY EVALUATION OF INTRAORAL FILMS, FILTERS, COLLIMATORS, AND RADIATION EXPOSURE

Abstract

In order to evaluate density, radiographic contrast and dose of radiation exposure, the author analyzed 80 radiographs containing 640 optical density data of the images of a penetrometer, exposed to the radiation beam with combinations between D and E periapical films, aluminum and copper/aluminum filters, and circular or rectangular collimators. The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA and allowed the following conclusions: 1) aluminum filtration resulted in improved image contrast; 2) the use of group D film and an aluminum filter produced improved image contrast quality; 3) the rectangular collimator contributed to the production of improved contrast and to the reduction of radiation exposure, but did not affect density; 4) the combination of copper/aluminum filter, E group film and rectangular collimation significantly reduced radiation exposure.