ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the beam quality of intraoral X-ray equipments used at Yonsei University Dental Hospital(YUDH) using the half value layer(HVL) and the characteristic curve of intraoral standard X-ray film. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was done using the intraoral X-ray equipments used at each clinical department at YUDH. Aluminum filter was used to determine the HVL. Intraoral standard film was used to get the characteristic curve of each intraoral X-ray equipment. RESULTS: Most of the HVLs of intraoral X-ray equipments were higher than the least recommended thickness, but the REX 601 model used at the operative dentistry department and the X-707 model used at the pediatric dentistry department had HVLs lower than the recommended thickness. The slopes of the characteristic curves of films taken using the PANPAS 601 model and REX 601 model at operative dentistry department, the X-70S model of prosthodontic dentistry department, and the REX 601 model at the student clinic were relatively low. CONCLUSION: HVL and the characteristic curve of X-ray film can be used to evaluate the beam quality of intraoral X-ray equipment. In order to get the best X-ray films with the least radiation exposure to patients and best diagnostic information in clinical dentistry, X-ray equipment should be managed in the planned and organized fashion.