X-ray production variability

Some dental x-ray generators do not produce the quantity of x-rays expected at the kilovoltage and milliamperage setting made. A simple experiment was performed on five dental x-ray generators of three manufacturers to test their output in roentgens per minute at a range of kilovoltage and milliamperage settings. Each generator had variable kilovoltage and milliamperage capability. The recorded output was compared with its theoretic output. The results confirm the suspicion that considerable output variations exist and suggest a serious problem to the practitioner wishing to expand his radiographic technique armementarium.