kVp
Pronunciation: KAY-vee-PEE
Also written as: kVp — kilovolt peak
Kilovolt peak; the maximum electrical potential difference applied across an X-ray tube, determining the penetrating power (quality) of the X-ray beam.
Full Definition
kVp (kilovolt peak) is a fundamental technical parameter in dental radiography that controls the energy and penetrating ability of the X-ray beam, and consequently the contrast of the resulting image. Higher kVp values produce a more penetrating beam with lower contrast (longer greyscale), while lower kVp values produce higher contrast but less penetrating radiation. Editors will encounter kVp in technique descriptions within radiology reports, research methods sections, and equipment specification documents. The abbreviation is always written as 'kVp' — lowercase 'k', uppercase 'V', lowercase 'p' — and must not be written as 'KVP', 'kvp', or 'kv'. It should not be confused with 'kV' (kilovolt, without the peak qualifier) used in other electrical contexts.
Usage
Usage note: Mandatory casing: lowercase 'k', uppercase 'V', lowercase 'p'. Never written as 'KVP', 'kvp', or 'Kvp'.
In Context
- "The panoramic unit was operated at 66 kVp and 10 mA with an exposure time of 14.1 seconds." — Radiographic technique section
- "The manuscript erroneously capitalised the abbreviation as 'KVP'; this was corrected to 'kVp' throughout." — Manuscript editing note