DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Practice Exam

In the bisecting technique, the correct position of the patient's occlusal plane is:

1. Perpendicular to the floor

2. Parallel to the midsagittal plane

3. Parallel to the floor

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Parallel to the floor

In the bisecting technique, the patient's occlusal plane should be positioned parallel to the floor. This orientation is crucial for accurately capturing the anatomy of the teeth and surrounding structures in the radiograph. When the occlusal plane is parallel to the floor, the X-ray beam can be directed perpendicular to the line that bisects the angle formed by the film and the long axis of the tooth being imaged. This alignment helps ensure that the resulting image is properly oriented and minimizes distortion, allowing for a more accurate assessment of dental conditions. This technique is distinct from others, such as the paralleling technique, where the film is placed parallel to the tooth and the X-ray beam is directed perpendicular to both. The bisecting angle technique is particularly useful in situations where it is difficult to position the film parallel to the tooth, such as in the case of certain anatomical constraints. By maintaining the occlusal plane parallel to the floor, the practitioner can enhance the quality of the radiographs obtained and thus improve diagnostic accuracy.