Single Image X-ray Exposure Times

Follow the user instructions of your X-ray source. The following tables provide guidelines for exposure times for an X-ray source at 70 kV and 7 mA. Add your values for the exposure time in seconds in the column on the right. If your time values are different from the suggested time values, adapt your time values until you find the best setting for your diagnostic.

Table 1 ADULT exposure times

Acquisition Mode	Suggested Exposure Time in Seconds	Your Exposure Time in Seconds
Upper incisor/canine	0.18
Upper premolar	0.24
Upper molar	Up to 0.40
Lower incisor/canine	0.12
Lower premolar	0.18
Lower molar	0.24

Table 2 CHILD exposure times

Acquisition Mode	Suggested Exposure Time in Seconds	Your Exposure Time in Seconds
Upper incisor/canine	0.11
Upper premolar	0.15
Upper molar	0.24
Lower incisor/canine	0.075
Lower premolar	0.11
Lower molar	0.15

IMPORTANT: These are suggested exposure times and need to be adjusted for your specific X-ray source. For dark images, reduce the exposure time and for grainy images, increase the exposure time.