BDA RADIOGRAPHY AND RADIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED
TO PASS
◉ List the uses of dental radiographs. Answer: Used for detection of
diseases, lesions, and conditions of the teeth and bones that cannot
be identified by clinical examination.
◉ Discuss early pioneers in dental radiography and their
contribution. Answer: - William Conrad Roentgen: discovered the x-
ray on November 8, 1895
- Otto Walkhoff: German dentist in 1895 who made the first dental
radiograph
- C. Edmund Kells: New Orleans dentist is credited with the first
practical use of the dental radiograph in 1896
- William H. Rollins: Boston dentist who developed the first dental x-
ray unit
,- Frank Van Woert: NYC dentist who was the first to use film in
intraoral radiography
- Howard Riley Raper: Indiana University professor who established
the first college course in radiography for dental students
◉ Describe the history of dental x-ray equipment and film. Answer:
History of dental x-ray equipment: In 1913, Coolidge (electrical
engineer) developed the first hot-cathode x-ray tube, a high-vacuum
that contained tungsten filament. In 1923, miniature version of the
x-ray tube was placed inside the head of an x-ray machine and
immersed in oil by Victor X-Ray Corporation of Chicago. In 1933, a
new machine with improved features was introduced by General
Electric. In 1957, a variable kilovoltage machine was introduced. In
1966, a recessed long-beam tubehead was introduced.
History of dental x-ray film: In 1913, Eastman Kodak Company
manufactured the first prewrapped intraoral films and consequently
increased the acceptance and use of x-rays in dentistry. In 1920, the
first machine-made periapical film packets became available.
Present fast films have improved greatly in reducing the patient's
exposure to radiation than the ones in 1920 (less than 2% exposure
time)
◉ Discuss the purpose and uses of occlusal films. Answer: used for
examination of large areas of the maxilla or the mandible
,◉ Describe film placement for maxillary and mandibular occlusal
radiographs. Answer: Tube side/stipled side always facing the teeth;
use size 4 film
Maxillary: PID placed in between eyebrows/nose bridge at +65
degrees
Mandibular: PID placed underneath chin at -55 degrees
*+60 degrees for maxillary on children and -55 degrees for
mandibular
◉ State patient position for maxillary and mandibular occlusal
radiographs. Answer: Maxillary: position the patient with the
maxillary arch parallel to the floor
Mandibular: position the patient with mandibular arch parallel to
the floor; chin up
◉ Discuss primary purpose and use of bitewing films. Answer: used
to examine the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth on
one film; is useful in examining interproximal/adjacent tooth
surfaces
, ◉ Compare open and overlapped contact areas on dental
radiograph. Answer: Open: tooth are not touching
Overlapped: tooth are touching
◉ Describe principles of the bitewing exposure technique. Answer:
1. The receptor is placed in the mouth PARALLEL to the crowns of
both maxillary and mandibular teeth.
2. The receptor is stabilized when the patient bites on the bite-wing
tab or the bite-block of the beam alignment device.
3. When using a bite-wing tab, the central ray of the x-ray beam is
directed through the contacts of teeth, using a vertical angulation of
+10 degrees.
◉ Discuss correct and incorrect horizontal and vertical angulation.
Answer: Horizontal angulation: correct way - the central ray is
directed perpendicular to the curvature of the arch and through the
contact areas of the teeth; incorrect way - results in overlapped
areas
Vertical angulation: correct way - vertical angulation of +10 degrees;
incorrect way - results in a distorted image, a bite-wing image
exposed with an excessive negative vertical angulation is
nondiagnostic
COMPREHENSIVE TEST PAPER 2 2026 TESTED
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GUARANTEED
TO PASS
◉ List the uses of dental radiographs. Answer: Used for detection of
diseases, lesions, and conditions of the teeth and bones that cannot
be identified by clinical examination.
◉ Discuss early pioneers in dental radiography and their
contribution. Answer: - William Conrad Roentgen: discovered the x-
ray on November 8, 1895
- Otto Walkhoff: German dentist in 1895 who made the first dental
radiograph
- C. Edmund Kells: New Orleans dentist is credited with the first
practical use of the dental radiograph in 1896
- William H. Rollins: Boston dentist who developed the first dental x-
ray unit
,- Frank Van Woert: NYC dentist who was the first to use film in
intraoral radiography
- Howard Riley Raper: Indiana University professor who established
the first college course in radiography for dental students
◉ Describe the history of dental x-ray equipment and film. Answer:
History of dental x-ray equipment: In 1913, Coolidge (electrical
engineer) developed the first hot-cathode x-ray tube, a high-vacuum
that contained tungsten filament. In 1923, miniature version of the
x-ray tube was placed inside the head of an x-ray machine and
immersed in oil by Victor X-Ray Corporation of Chicago. In 1933, a
new machine with improved features was introduced by General
Electric. In 1957, a variable kilovoltage machine was introduced. In
1966, a recessed long-beam tubehead was introduced.
History of dental x-ray film: In 1913, Eastman Kodak Company
manufactured the first prewrapped intraoral films and consequently
increased the acceptance and use of x-rays in dentistry. In 1920, the
first machine-made periapical film packets became available.
Present fast films have improved greatly in reducing the patient's
exposure to radiation than the ones in 1920 (less than 2% exposure
time)
◉ Discuss the purpose and uses of occlusal films. Answer: used for
examination of large areas of the maxilla or the mandible
,◉ Describe film placement for maxillary and mandibular occlusal
radiographs. Answer: Tube side/stipled side always facing the teeth;
use size 4 film
Maxillary: PID placed in between eyebrows/nose bridge at +65
degrees
Mandibular: PID placed underneath chin at -55 degrees
*+60 degrees for maxillary on children and -55 degrees for
mandibular
◉ State patient position for maxillary and mandibular occlusal
radiographs. Answer: Maxillary: position the patient with the
maxillary arch parallel to the floor
Mandibular: position the patient with mandibular arch parallel to
the floor; chin up
◉ Discuss primary purpose and use of bitewing films. Answer: used
to examine the crowns of both maxillary and mandibular teeth on
one film; is useful in examining interproximal/adjacent tooth
surfaces
, ◉ Compare open and overlapped contact areas on dental
radiograph. Answer: Open: tooth are not touching
Overlapped: tooth are touching
◉ Describe principles of the bitewing exposure technique. Answer:
1. The receptor is placed in the mouth PARALLEL to the crowns of
both maxillary and mandibular teeth.
2. The receptor is stabilized when the patient bites on the bite-wing
tab or the bite-block of the beam alignment device.
3. When using a bite-wing tab, the central ray of the x-ray beam is
directed through the contacts of teeth, using a vertical angulation of
+10 degrees.
◉ Discuss correct and incorrect horizontal and vertical angulation.
Answer: Horizontal angulation: correct way - the central ray is
directed perpendicular to the curvature of the arch and through the
contact areas of the teeth; incorrect way - results in overlapped
areas
Vertical angulation: correct way - vertical angulation of +10 degrees;
incorrect way - results in a distorted image, a bite-wing image
exposed with an excessive negative vertical angulation is
nondiagnostic
