What determines the different shades of pixels on 2D images?

The different shades of pixels on 2D images are primarily determined by the amount of radiation that interacts with the sensor. In dental radiography, when X-rays pass through the structures in the mouth, they are absorbed to varying degrees depending on the density and composition of the tissues, including bone and soft tissues. The areas that absorb more radiation will appear lighter, while those that absorb less will appear darker.

This interaction creates a direct correlation between the radiation dose and the resulting pixel values on the image. Therefore, the varying levels of radiation exposure lead to the different shades observed in the final image, effectively creating a visual representation of the underlying structures.

While factors like the sensor type and resolution contribute to the quality of the image, they do not directly determine the shades of the pixels in the way that the amount of radiation does.