BDA Radiography for Dental Nurses Practice Test 2026 - Free Radiography Practice Questions and Study Guide for Dental Nurses

Radiolucent areas in x-rays are characterized by allowing more x-ray photons to pass through. This occurs because these areas are comprised of less dense structures or tissues, which do not absorb x-rays as effectively as denser tissues. As a result, when x-rays pass through these less dense or air-filled areas, they will expose the film or digital sensor more, leading to a dark or radiolucent appearance on the radiograph.

In contrast, denser materials such as bone or metal absorb a significant amount of x-rays, resulting in radiopaque areas that appear white on the film. Therefore, the characteristic of radiolucency is fundamentally linked to the degree of density and opacity of the tissues being imaged.