Dental Radiographs Flashcards
What is the #1 health problem in SA?
Periodontal disease
What is the gold standard for dental radiographs?
Clinical assessment (probing) as well as full mouth radiography
What are indications for dental radiographs?
75% of tooth structure is below the gum line
70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some periodontal disease by age 2
What is endodontic disease?
Disease inside the tooth
What are some barriers to dental radiographs?
Cost of equipment and lack of training
Generator/tube
Generates the X-rays. Can be wall mounted or mobile
What are the most common sizes of dental films used?
2 & 4
4 is for bigger dogs
What is digital radiography sensor?
Digital sensor/plate, size 2 only, images in seconds, and easy to make small adjustments
What is Computed radiographs (CR)?
Phosphor screen, image in 10-60 seconds, more expensive, multiple sizes of dental film can be used
What are advantages of Digital radiography?
Quality equal or superior to analog
Reduced exposure
Decreased anesthesia time
Minor adjustments much easier
Large image on screen
Can manipulate image
Easy storage
No degradation
What are the disadvantages of digital radiography?
Quality dependent on equipment used
Lack of size 4 sensor (DR)
Cost of replacement sensor (DR)
For the maxilla, what position should the patient be in?
Sternal
For the mandible radiographs, what position should the patient be in?
Lateral
For the mandibular incisors, canines, and pre-molars/molars, what position should the patient be in?
Dorsal (on their back)
What are the two intra-oral radiography techniques?
Parallel and bisecting angle
What way should the dimple on the film go?
Towards the X-ray beam
What are some common mistakes when taking radiographs?
Foreshortening (too vertical, too far above)
Elongation (too long)
What happens if you place the film backwards?
The film will be underexposed with grid lines, will see film on radiograph or jagged squiggles on radiograph
How do you tell if you are on the mandible or maxilla?
Mandible - roots will be down, crown up
Maxilla - roots up, crown down
How do you know which side of the mouth you are on?
Check teeth - canines/incisors “shake hands” so images right is left side and vice versa
Premolars - look at which way is the nose
If front of the mouth is on the left side of image, then left side of mouth
What should normal roots/root canals look like?
Roots of multi-rooted teeth should be divergent
Root canal should appear regular and smooth
Root canals should be similar in width
What is the crown of the tooth covered in?
Thin layer of dense enamel
Is dentin/cementum more dense than bone?
Yes slightly
How does alveolar bone look like on radiographs?
Gray, uniform, darker than tooth roots, slightly mottled
Less dense than mandibular bone but gets more dense with age
