TEACH Lesson Plan
20 Exposure and Technique Errors
CHAPTER LESSON PLANS & OBJECTIVES
Lesson 20.1: Receptor Exposure and Technique Errors
1. Define the key terms associated with exposure and technique errors.
2. Identify and describe the appearance of the following exposure errors: unexposed receptor, film
Lesson 20.2: Bite-Wing Exposure and Technique Errors
7. Identify and describe the appearances of the following bite-wing technique errors due to receptor
placement: incorrect placement of premolar bite-wing and incorrect placement of molar bite-wing.
CHAPTER TEACHING FOCUS
• Students will have the opportunity to understand receptor exposure problems.
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 2
TEACH Lesson Plan
CHAPTER PRETEST
Have the students answer these questions prior to covering this chapter to understand where they stand
in relation to the content.
1) An unexposed receptor appears:
a) dark.
b) clear. c) light.
d) black.
2) Which of the following images would most likely appear black?
a) A film exposed to light
b) An unexposed receptor c) An overexposed receptor
d) An underexposed receptor
3) An underexposed receptor results from:
a) inadequate exposure time.
b) inadequate tissue density. c) excessive milliamperage.
d) excessive kilovoltage.
4) When overlapped contacts appear on an image, the cause is:
a) a dropped receptor corner.
b) an underexposed receptor. c) incorrect vertical angulation.
d) incorrect horizontal film angulation.
5) Short teeth with blunted roots appear on the image when:
a) there is a cone-cut.
b) the vertical angulation is excessive. c) the horizontal angulation is incorrect.
d) the vertical angulation is insufficient.
6) A cone-cut occurs when the:
a) receptor is underexposed.
b) exposure button was not depressed for
a sufficient amount of time.
c) PID was not properly aligned with the
periapical beam alignment device.
d) receptor is overexposed.
9) A thin radiolucent line appears on the image with:
a) film creasing.
b) film bending. c) double exposure.
d) patient movement.
10) When the film is reversed, the image will be:
a) light with a herringbone pattern.
b) distorted. c) blurred.
d) elongated.
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 3
TEACH Lesson Plan
CHAPTER PRETEST ANSWERS
1) b
With an unexposured receptor when using film, the image appears clear.
p. 214
6) c
The PID was not properly aligned with the beam alignment device.
p. 218
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 4
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 20.1: Receptor Exposure and Technique Errors
INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION
Textbook Objectives Covered
1. Define the key terms associated with exposure and technique errors.
2. Identify and describe the appearance of the following exposure errors: unexposed receptor, film
exposed to light, overexposed receptor, and underexposed receptor.
National Standards Covered
ABHES DAI (Dental Assisting I – Basic)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical equipment function and maintenance: Operate dental equipment according to
ABHES DAII (Dental Assisting II – Advanced)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical equipment function and maintenance: Operate dental equipment according to
CODA Standards for Dental Assisting Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
• The curriculum must include content at the in-depth level in dental radiology. Students must
CODA Standards for Dental Hygiene Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 5
TEACH Lesson Plan
Lesson Preparation Checklist
Materials and Supplies
• computer
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 6
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 20.1: Receptor Exposure and Technique Errors
STUDENT PREPARATION (3 hrs)
1
READ – Textbook (pp. 214-224)
2
3
READ – Textbook (pp. 216-217)
5
READ – Textbook (pp. 216-218)
6
READ – Textbook (p. 216)
READ – Textbook (pp. 214-216)
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 7
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
50–Minute Lesson Plan
Lesson 20.1: Receptor Exposure and Technique Errors
LECTURE OUTLINE (20 min)
1
&
2
problems: incorrect horizontal angulation (overlapped contacts), incorrect vertical angulation
KEY TERMS AND EXPOSURE ERRORS: SLIDES 4-9 (pp. 214–224)
• Discuss the key terms associated with exposure and technique errors.
• Describe the appearance of the following exposure errors: unexposed receptor, film exposed to
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 30 min)
1
&
2
and overexposed films to each group. Have the groups discuss the film that belongs to each
REVIEW (15 min; 20 min)
• Have each student use one of the key terms in a clinically relevant sentence in order to define
the term. Continue until all terms have been used; if students become stuck, have the rest of
the class offer suggestions.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
3
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
CREATE (20 min)
• Divide the class into small groups, and have each group create a chart indicating how incorrect
look like and how to fix the error. Have the students share their charts with the class for further
discussion.
DISCUSS (15 min)
• Split the class into two groups that relate to technique errors due to receptor placement
(absence of apical structures and dropped receptor corner). Each group will discuss the error
and then present information to the class to include: receptor, technique, appearance, cause
and correction.
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 8
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 30 min) (Continued)
5
POST & COMMENT (10 min)
• Post the Critical Thinking Question for this lesson on the Evolve discussion board. Students
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
As you begin to mount a set of bite-wing images, you notice that the contacts on the left premolar
exposure are overlapped. What common error occurred during exposure of this image? What type
of correction is needed on the retake?
Discussion Guidelines: When overlapped contact appears on the image, incorrect horizontal angulation
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 9
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 20.2: Bite-Wing Exposure and Technique Errors
INSTRUCTOR PREPARATION
Textbook Objectives Covered
7. Identify and describe the appearances of the following bite-wing technique errors due to receptor
placement: incorrect placement of premolar bite-wing and incorrect placement of molar bite-wing.
National Standards Covered
ABHES DAI (Dental Assisting I – Basic)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical equipment function and maintenance: Operate dental equipment according to
ABHES DAII (Dental Assisting II – Advanced)
• Section A: Curriculum, Competencies, Externship and/or Internal Clinical Experience:
• Clinical equipment function and maintenance: Operate dental equipment according to
manufacturer’s guidelines and institutional policy. (6.b)
CODA Standards for Dental Assisting Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
• The curriculum must include content at the in-depth level in dental radiology. Students must
CODA Standards for Dental Hygiene Programs
• Standard 2: Educational Program:
• Curriculum content: Dental sciences content must include tooth morphology, head, neck and oral
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 10
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Lesson Preparation Checklist
• Prepare lecture from TEACH lecture slides available on Evolve.
Materials and Supplies
• computer
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 11
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Classroom Preparation
Lesson 20.2: Bite-Wing Exposure and Technique Errors
STUDENT PREPARATION (4 hrs)
7
READ – Textbook (pp. 218-220)
8
READ – Textbook (pp. 220-221)
ANSWER – Textbook
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 12
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
50-Minute Lesson Plan
Lesson 20.2: Bite-Wing Exposure and Technique Errors
LECTURE OUTLINE (30 min)
7
RECEPTOR PLACEMENT: SLIDES 28–33 (pp. 218-220)
• Describe the appearances of the following bite-wing technique errors due to receptor
placement: incorrect placement of premolar bite-wing and incorrect placement of molar bite–
wing.
8
ANGULATION PROBLEMS: SLIDES 34–43 (pp. 220-221)
• Describe the appearances of the following bite-wing technique errors due to angulation
problems: incorrect horizontal angulation (overlapped contacts), incorrect vertical angulation
• Describe the appearances of the following miscellaneous technique errors: bending, creasing,
debris accumulation, phalangioma, double image, movement, and reversed/backward
placement.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES (choose one or more to equal 20 min)
7
DISCUSS (20 min)
• Split the class into two groups (incorrect placement of premolar bite-wing and incorrect
placement of molar bite-wing). Have each group discuss their particular bite-wing technique
error and present to the class information on how these errors can be avoided. Discuss as
needed.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
9
should post their answers and conduct an online discussion in comments. Each student should
offer critical feedback to at least two other students.
• Appropriate Setting: Online
ANALYZE (20 min)
• Divide the class into small groups, and distribute to each group radiographs displaying the six
different technique errors. Have the groups identify which error belongs to each radiograph.
Have the students share their findings with the class. The overhead projector may be useful
here.
• Appropriate Settings: Traditional classroom, flipped classroom
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION
Why is it important for the dental radiographer to have a working knowledge of the exposure and
technique errors that result in nondiagnostic images?
Discussion Guidelines: The dental radiographer must remember that images are taken to benefit the
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 13
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Assessments
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors
ASSESSMENTS BY OBJECTIVE
1
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, question 13
2
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 1-6, 25
3
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 7-10
4
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, question 12
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 11, 14, 15
7
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 16, 17, 32
8
Evolve Instructor Resources
• Test Bank: Multiple Choice, questions 18, 29
Workbook Module 4: Technique Basics
• Short Answer, questions 1-12 (pp. 141-144)
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors 14
TEACH Lesson Plan
IANNUCCI AND HOWERTON: Dental Radiography: Principles and Techniques, 5th Edition
Simulations
Chapter 20: Exposure and Technique Errors
SIMULATIONS BY OBJECTIVE
Film Placement for Bite-Wing Technique (15 min)
6
Equipment Needed
• typodont