Improved reliability of dental radiography by application of x-ray beam-guiding instruments: a two-year report.

Demands on dental practitioners for documentation of patient needs plus evidence of high rates of inadequate radiographs in teaching and practice reveal a need for accurate, simplified radiographic techniques. New procedures using X-ray beam-guiding instruments were used for all periapical films in a clinical teaching program. Data collected over two years showed a high procedural reliability with these instruments. The film quality and low retake rate may have been due to the beam-guiding effect that also assures minimum patient exposure to radiation. Since beam-guiding instruments may also reduce the time expenditure in teaching and practice, the proposed procedures may be able to provide better radiography for less expense.