Dental Assistant Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Study for the Dental Assistant Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to help you succeed. Get ready for your exam today!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What does milliamperage (mA) measure in dental radiography?

Quality of the x-ray beam
Amount of electricity
Exposure time
Size of the radiographic image

The correct answer is: Amount of electricity

Milliamperage (mA) in dental radiography specifically measures the amount of electrical current that is passing through the x-ray tube. This current is a crucial factor as it directly influences the quantity of x-rays produced during the imaging process. Higher mA settings increase the number of x-rays generated, which can enhance the overall image density on the film or sensor, leading to a clearer and more diagnostic radiograph. Understanding this measurement is important because it affects the exposure level for the patient and the quality of the resulting images. It is not related to the quality of the x-ray beam, the duration of the exposure time, or the size of the radiographic image directly, making it essential to distinguish the role of milliamperage in the context of x-ray generation and image formation.