MOUNTING

In mounting radiographs, care must be taken to avoid marks from damp or perspiring fingers. Hands and fingers should be clean and dry. The film should be handled only on the edge. Under adequate illumination, the radio- graphs are removed one at a time from the hanger and placed carefully into the appropriate opening in the film mount. Radiographs are mounted so that the raised part of the embossed dot faces the dental specialist. In this way the radiographs are viewed from the facial aspect in correct anatomical order.

a. Maxillary and mandibular radiographs may be identified by the anatomy of the teeth and surrounding structures. (See paragraphs 3-24 through 3-28 for anatomic landmarks.) Radiographs are mounted with apices of maxillary teeth directed upward and apices of mandibular teeth directed downward.

b. The mesial aspect of a radiograph may also be determined by the anatomic features of tissues included on the film. If the mesial is to the right (when viewed from the facial side), it is a film taken on the patient's right side. If the mesial is to the left (when viewed from the facial side), it is a film taken of the patient's left side.