What is the effect of scatter radiation on image quality?

Scatter radiation plays a significant role in the quality of radiographic images. When X-rays pass through the body, some of them interact with tissues and are scattered in various directions rather than traveling directly to the film or digital sensor. This scattering can degrade the overall sharpness of the image.

A primary effect of scatter radiation is that it can spread out the X-ray exposure beyond the desired area, leading to a loss of contrast and clarity. The sharpness of the details in the image is diminished because the scatter contributes to a general fog or haze over the radiograph. This can make it difficult for dental professionals to accurately diagnose conditions, as distinguishing fine details becomes challenging.

In contrast, the other possible outcomes do not accurately describe the effect of scatter radiation on image quality. While improved image clarity and overexposed images might occur due to other factors, scatter radiation typically has a negative impact, reducing the definition of edges and details. The halation effect, which involves a reflective phenomenon that creates blurred outlines, is different from the general loss of sharpness that scatter radiation causes.