Faster screen/film combinations for cephalometric radiography.

Four lateral cephalometric radiographs of a skull phantom, each made with a different screen/film combination, were compared for usefulness in making orthodontic measurements of the skull and jaws. The four screen/film combinations ranged in speed from 1 to 4. One combination was used with a grid. One of the screens incorporated "rare earth" phosphors. Seven orthodontists separately viewed the radiographs, identified eight selected landmarks, and determined the adequacy of their radiographic images. They also evaluated each radiograph taken as a whole. The results showed that, either for landmark visualization or for over-all value, there was little difference in ratings. All were found to be adequate. It was concluded that cephalometric radiographs made with the faster screen/film combinations, including those incorporating rare earth screens, were both usable and useful for orthodontic measurements of the skull.