X-RAY ADAA EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025-2026
X-ray - Answers high-energy wave that can penetrate most solid matter and present the image
on photographic film
Dental X-rays - Answers a picture of teeth, bone, and soft tissue used to determine if there are
problems with the individuals jaw, mouth and teeth.
What can X-rays reveal? - Answers cavities, bone loss, and hidden dental structures.
How are x-rays produced? - Answers When a high voltage sparks strikes from the cathode to the
end of the anode where the tungsten target is. They then go through the lead collimator to the
film in the patients mouth
What do x-rays produce? - Answers radiation
What does it mean to be exposed to radiation? - Answers Radiation is being absorbed by the
body.
Are patients exposed to low or high levels of radiation? - Answers Low
What measurement is used for an effective dosage of radiation? - Answers MSV- millisievert
What are the two types of radiation dental assistants are exposed too? - Answers 1. Primary
2. Scattered
Primary Radiation - Answers Occurs when the body absorbs radiation from the primary beam.
This is unavoidable for patients, but can be minimized.
Scattered Radiation - Answers Secondary radiation that occurs when a x-ray beam is intercepted
by an object (tooth) and deflected to exposed body tissue.
Moves in different directions.
What are the biological effects of radiation? (2 types) - Answers 1. Tissue reactions
2. Stochastic Effects
Tissue Reactions - Answers A non-cancerous effect to the body from a dose of radiation.
early-shortly after exposure
, Late- months to years after exposure
Stochastic effects - Answers Effects that may develop over time due to radiation. This is
random and depends on laws of chance.
-Cancer
-Genetic effects (sperm or egg)
Methods used to control exposure to radiation? - Answers 1. Time
2. Distance
3. Shielding
4. Use wall barrier
5. Correct position if no barrier
What is used to cover the patient for x-rays? - Answers Lead apron
With whom do you need consent from a doctor for x-rays? - Answers Anyone who is pregnant
2 types of x-rays - Answers conventional film and digital x-ray
What is the difference between conventional x-rays and digital x-rays? - Answers Digital x-rays
are connected to computer and conventional must be developed.
What size conventional film is used on a child? - Answers Size #0
What size conventional film is most commonly used, also adult film - Answers Size #2
What size conventional film is the large bitewing size? - Answers size #3
What size conventional film is the occlusal film size? - Answers Size #4
What size conventional film is the narrow anterior size? - Answers size #1
Film speed - Answers amount of radiation required to produce an x-ray and determine how
much exposure time is required to produce the film.
Different Film Speeds - Answers D- slowest and requires most radiation
E- average film
X-ray - Answers high-energy wave that can penetrate most solid matter and present the image
on photographic film
Dental X-rays - Answers a picture of teeth, bone, and soft tissue used to determine if there are
problems with the individuals jaw, mouth and teeth.
What can X-rays reveal? - Answers cavities, bone loss, and hidden dental structures.
How are x-rays produced? - Answers When a high voltage sparks strikes from the cathode to the
end of the anode where the tungsten target is. They then go through the lead collimator to the
film in the patients mouth
What do x-rays produce? - Answers radiation
What does it mean to be exposed to radiation? - Answers Radiation is being absorbed by the
body.
Are patients exposed to low or high levels of radiation? - Answers Low
What measurement is used for an effective dosage of radiation? - Answers MSV- millisievert
What are the two types of radiation dental assistants are exposed too? - Answers 1. Primary
2. Scattered
Primary Radiation - Answers Occurs when the body absorbs radiation from the primary beam.
This is unavoidable for patients, but can be minimized.
Scattered Radiation - Answers Secondary radiation that occurs when a x-ray beam is intercepted
by an object (tooth) and deflected to exposed body tissue.
Moves in different directions.
What are the biological effects of radiation? (2 types) - Answers 1. Tissue reactions
2. Stochastic Effects
Tissue Reactions - Answers A non-cancerous effect to the body from a dose of radiation.
early-shortly after exposure
, Late- months to years after exposure
Stochastic effects - Answers Effects that may develop over time due to radiation. This is
random and depends on laws of chance.
-Cancer
-Genetic effects (sperm or egg)
Methods used to control exposure to radiation? - Answers 1. Time
2. Distance
3. Shielding
4. Use wall barrier
5. Correct position if no barrier
What is used to cover the patient for x-rays? - Answers Lead apron
With whom do you need consent from a doctor for x-rays? - Answers Anyone who is pregnant
2 types of x-rays - Answers conventional film and digital x-ray
What is the difference between conventional x-rays and digital x-rays? - Answers Digital x-rays
are connected to computer and conventional must be developed.
What size conventional film is used on a child? - Answers Size #0
What size conventional film is most commonly used, also adult film - Answers Size #2
What size conventional film is the large bitewing size? - Answers size #3
What size conventional film is the occlusal film size? - Answers Size #4
What size conventional film is the narrow anterior size? - Answers size #1
Film speed - Answers amount of radiation required to produce an x-ray and determine how
much exposure time is required to produce the film.
Different Film Speeds - Answers D- slowest and requires most radiation
E- average film
