The Dental X-ray Machine

1. The Dental X-ray Machine Reference Reading Chapter 2: pp. 15 - 17

2. X-ray Machine • X-rays are produced within the dental x-ray machine • The x-ray machine can be divided into 3 study areas • Component Parts • The x-ray tube • X-ray generating apparatus

3. Component Parts • The Dental x-ray machine consists of 3 visible component parts: • The Control Panel • The Extension Arm • The Tubehead

4. The Component Parts of the Dental X-ray Machine

5. The Control Panel • The Control Panel contains: • On-off switch and an indicator light • The exposure button and an indicator light • Control devices to regulate the x-ray beam • Time setting • kVp setting • mA setting

6. Control Panels Older style Newer Design

7. The Extension Arm • The extension arm suspends the x-ray tubehead and houses the electrical wires that extend from the control panel to the tubehead • The extension arm allows for movement and positioning of the tubehead

8. Tubehead • The tubehead is a tightly sealed, heavy metal housing that contains the x-ray tube. The x-ray tube produces the dental x-rays

9. Tubehead • The component parts of the tubehead include: • Metal housing • Insulating oil • Tubehead seal • X-ray tube • Transformer • Aluminum disk/filter • Lead collimator • Position Indicating Device (P.I.D.)

10. Component Parts of the Tubehead • The Metal Housing, or body, of the tubehead surrounds the x-ray tube and is filled with oil. • It protects the x-ray tube and grounds the high voltage components. Metal Housing

11. Component Parts of the Tubehead • Insulating Oil – the oil that surrounds the x-ray tube. • It prevents overheating by absorbing the heat created when x-rays are produced

12. Component Parts of the Tubehead • Tubehead Seal – the aluminum or leaded glass covering of the tubehead that permits the exit of x-rays from the tubehead. • It seals the oil in the tubehead

13. Component Parts of the Tubehead • The X-ray tube – the heart of the x-ray generating system.

14. Component Parts of the Tubehead • Aluminum Disks – sheets of 0.5 mm aluminum placed in the path of the x-ray beam. • This filters out the longer wavelength, non-penetrating x-rays. • Text – p. 15, Fig. 2-14

15. Component Parts of the Tubehead • Lead Collimator – a lead plate with a central hole that fits directly over the opening of the metal housing where the x-rays exit the tubehead. • Restricts the size of the x-ray beam to 2.75 inches at the patient’s face.

16. Component Parts of the Tubehead • Position Indicating Device (P.I.D.) – aims and shapes the x-ray beam as it exits the tubehead. • Sometimes called the “cone” Different tubehead lengths

17. Cathode • Cathode is the negative electrode of the x-ray tube. • The purpose of the electrodes is to supply the electrons necessary to generate x-rays. • The cathode consists of: • Tungsten filament- generates the electrons that produce the x-rays at the tungsten target • Molybdenum cup

18. Anode • The anode is the positive electrode within the x-ray tube • The purpose of the anode is to convert the electrons into x-ray photons at the tungsten target. • The anode consists of: • The tungsten target • The copper stem