6 - Prescription and Interpretation of Radiographs

Question 1

factors to consider when prescribing radiographs

Answer 1

1. chief complaint
2. clinical history
3. radiographic history
4. clinical examination

Question 2

indications for PA for teeth with current and history of clinical problems

Answer 2

Gross/cavitated caries
Restorations that replace at least one cusp
Proximal restorations that extend to root surface
Defective restorations
Gingival recession
Tooth mobility (side-to-side >2 mm; depressability >1 mm)
Endo treatment
Parulis/fistulous tract
Unusual tooth morphology, including root tips
Unexplained tooth alignment, including partially erupted teeth
Gingival or vestibular swelling

Question 3

indications for prescribing xray for TMJ

Answer 3

If significant clinical signs present (change in occlusion, pain, failed conservative therapy)
Will the new information influence patient management?

Question 4

indications for xray of a trauma

Answer 4

may require CBCT

Question 5

indications for prescribing xray for someone with known jaw pathology

Answer 5

Take adequate views of the entire lesion BEFORE biopsy and treatment
May require CBCT

Question 6

indications for prescribing xray for implant treatment planning

Answer 6

Consider panos for the initial eval of multiple implants
Requires CBCT

Question 7

is radiographs during pregnancy contraindicated?

Answer 7

NO

Question 8

how do address concerns about radiographs during pregnancy

Answer 8

Dental radiographs are 42,000 times less than the dose required to
induce deterministic effects on the embryo/fetus
With proper technique and safety precautions, radiation dose from dental
radiographs are negligible.

Question 9

is imaging contraindicated in patients who have received radiation therapy

Answer 9

NO

Question 10

do you screen for oral diseases in radiographs?

Answer 10

NO! only screening allowed is for BW radiographs

Question 11

what error:
Result in overlap
Occasionally overlap will result from tooth crowding, angulation errors,
supernumerary teeth, etc.

Answer 11

horizontal angulation overlap

Question 12

what error:
Typically seen when using the bisecting angle technique
Elongation
Receptor not parallel
Beam UNDERangulated; not ENOUGH vertical angulation

Answer 12

vertical angulation errors

Question 13

what error:
TOO MUCH vertical angulation
Receptor not parallel

Answer 13

foreshortening

Question 14

describe image quality of LIGHT IMAGES

Answer 14

UNDERexposure
Insufficient mA
Insufficient kVp
Insufficient exposure time
Receptor-source distance too long

Question 15

describe image quality of DARK IMAGES

Answer 15

OVERexposure
Excessive mA
Excessive kVp
Excessive exposure time
Film-source distance too short

Question 16

describe image quality of low contrast images

Answer 16

UNDERexposure
Excessive kVp
50 kVp: lower kVp corresponding to a HIGH contrast image
70 kVp: middle of the road
90 kVp: higher kVp corresponding to a LOW contrast image

Question 17

radiographic apperance of various dental materials depends on what

Answer 17

composition, density, thickness, atomic number

DCAT