What causes an overexposed film in radiography?

An overexposed film in radiography is caused by excessive exposure time. When the film is exposed to X-rays for too long, it receives more radiation than necessary, resulting in a darker and denser image. This overexposure can lead to a loss of detail and obscures important diagnostic information. It is essential to balance exposure time with the appropriate settings like milliamperes (mA) and kilovoltage (kV) to ensure that the film captures a clear and informative image without being overexposed.

Insufficient exposure time, inadequate mA, and improper film placement contribute to underexposed or poorly captured images, which differ fundamentally from the effects of overexposure. Understanding the correct exposure parameters helps in achieving high-quality diagnostic radiographs in dental practice.