Dental Radiographs Flashcards
__________ is #1 health problem in small animal patients.
periodontal disease
What are indications for dental radiographs?
- missing teeth
- retained teeth or tooth roots
- periodontal disease evaluation
- endodontic disease
- evaluate root shape and position
- evaluate mandible and mandibular symphysis prior to extractions
- pre- and post-extraction evaluation
- oral masses
what are the 2 barriers to dental radiographs?
- cost of equipment ($12,000-20,000)
- lack of training
what are the 4 pieces of equipment for dental radiography?
- generator/tube (wall-mounted, mobile, or handheld)
- film/sensor (sizes 2 and 4 common in vet med; digital sensor plate size 2 only attached by USB to computer)
- developer
- viewer
what are the pros and cons of digital radiography with hard-wired sensor?
Pro:
- attached to computer by USB
- image within seconds, so easy to make small adjustments if needed
Con:
- size 2 only
- sensor is firm and placement in mouth can be difficult
- cost $10,000+
What are the pros and cons of computed radiography with phosphor screens?
Pro:
- screens are similar to film and more movable
- image available in 10-60 sec
- screens reusable
- more sizes: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Con:
- more expensive ($13,000)
What position should you put the patient in if you need to obtain xray images of the mandibular incisors, canines, pre-molars, and/or molars?
dorsal recumbency
What position should you put the patient in if you need to obtain xray images of the maxilla?
sternal recumbency
What position should you put the patient in if you need to obtain xray images of the mandible?
lateral recumbency
The dimple on the film goes (toward/away) from the xray beam and should be placed away from the structure to avoid interference.
toward
T/F: when performing dental xrays, you should not put the film/sensor too close to the teeth to avoid damages to the film/sensor.
false – you want the film/sensor as close to the teeth as possible.
You should be avoiding damages by making sure your patient is well-sedated.
Describe the elements of the bisecting angle technique
First find the LONG AXIS of the tooth, then find the FILM PLANE.
After finding those two, you will establish the bisecting angle.
The xray beam should shoot PERPENDICULAR to the bisecting angle.
(probably best to just look at the photo from the powerpoint)
what are common mistakes with dental radgiography?
- foreshortening (too vertical)
- elongation
- placing film/sensor backwards
Which of the following is TRUE about alveolar bone in dental radiographs?
a. white and lighter than tooth roots
b. less dense than mandibular bone
c. variable level across dental arch
d. becomes less dense with age
b. less dense than mandibular bone
alveolar bone is gray, uniform, darker than the tooth roots, and slightly mottled. It should be constant level across the dental arch. It gets more dense with age.
which of the following is TRUE about peridontal ligament in dental radiographs?
a. should go half way around roots and stop at apex
b. should be various widths around root
c. width should increase with age
d. widening is indicative of disease
d. widening is indicative of disease
The PL should be uniform width around the root and go all the way around the root. The width will decrease with age.
