Artefacts in dental radiographs are not uncommon findings. In some cases, however, such film faults might lead to difficult or even wrong diagnoses. In this brief report, the authors present a case where a small piece of paper cast a foreign body-like image onto a panoral radiograph. The importance of proper techniques and film handling when taking radiographs cannot be over-emphasised.
RushtonVE, HornerK, WorthingtonHV.The quality of panoramic radiographs in a sample of general dental practices. Br Dent J.1999;186:630–3.
2.
GorenAD, LundeenRC, DeahlST2nd, HashimotoK, KapaSF, KatzJO, . Updated quality assurance self-assessment exercise in intraoral and panoramic radiography. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod.2000;89:369–74.
3.
CarmichaelF.The consistent image: How to improve the quality of dental radiographs: 1. Quality scale, operator technique, X-ray set. Dent Update.2005;32:611–6.
4.
CarmichaelF.The consistent image: How to improve the quality of dental radiographs: 2. The image receptor, processing and darkroom/film handling. Dent. Update2006;33:39–42.
BrownRS, Coleman-BennettMM, Jones-MatthewsT.Synthetic hair braid extension artifacts in panoramic radiographs. J Am Dent Assoc. 1998;129:601–4.
7.
ScheifeleC, LemkeAJ, ReichartPA.Hair artefacts in the head and neck region. Dentomaxillofac Radiol.2003;32:255–7.
8.
TandjungYRM, HongCP, NambiarP, IbrahimN.Uncommon radiographical findings: a case report. Int Dent J.2007;57:173–6.
9.
PendleburyME, HornerK, EatonK, editors. Selection Criteria for Dental Radiography (2nd ed). London: Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK); 2004.
10.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.Guideline on Prescribing Dental Radiographs for Infants, Children, Adolescents, and Persons With Special Health Care Needs. Accessed (2010 Jul 1) at: www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/E_Radiographs.pdf
11.
American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs.The use of dental radiographs. Update and recommendations. J Am Dent Assoc.2006;137:1304–12.
12.
EspelidI, MejareI, WeerheijmK.EAPD guidelines for use of radiographs in children. Eur J Paed Dent.2003;4:40–8. Accessed (2010 Jul 1) at: www.eapd.gr/dat/590A99C0/file.pdf
13.
KimIH, MupparapuM.Dental radiographic guidelines: a review. Quintessence Int.2009;40:389–98.
