Dental radiography Flashcards
Describe the X ray machine ?
- The head of the dental x-ray unit is
freely mobile and so movement of the patient during a procedure is reduced* The mobile head allows it to be
moved into almost limitless positions
and along with small intraoral films,
allows you to overcome the problems of superimposition - The reduced film-focal distance allows the exposure settings to be reduced.
Describe wall mounted dental Xray ?
- Easier to use and position when
learning dental radiography
positioning as you are able to stand
away to assess the position - Easier to make adjustments if you
positioning isn’t quite correct as
the Xray head remains in the same
position whilst the image is being
generated - Fewer concerns from RPAs usually
as the operator is able to leave the
room during an exposure
Handheld generators?
- Once competent with
positioning, these are far quicker
to use than wall mounted units - As they are portable, if used
along with a DR sensor, they can
easily be moved from room to
room or even to another branch
for dental work to be carried out
with dental radiography
Describe Xray FILMS
- Dental film is single emulsion and non-screened.
- Commonly sizes in dogs and cats are size 2 (adult periapical)
film (31 x 41 mm) and size 4 (occlusal) film (57 x 76 mm). - The dental film is packed in a plastic envelope, and is flanked by black paper and backed by a thin lead sheet (foil) that
reduces scatter.
Advantages of Digital Dental radiography?
- Magnification
- Multiple exposures
- Reduced running costs
- Speed of image production
- Reduction in radiation doses
- Elimination of processing chemicals
What are the Two types of digital radiography?
- Direct or Indirect
Describe Direst digitalradiogrpahy (DR)
- Sensor connected directly to computer, usually via
a wire - Single size
- Very fast image production
- Sensor stays in position during image production and so positional changes are easier to assess
- Image quality: 25 – 33 lp/mm
Describe Indirect Digital Radiography? (CR)
- More similar to films – flexible and different sizes
- Film has to be removed from patient’s mouth for
processing - Image quality:
- Dental specific: CR7 25 – 40 lp/mm
- CR converters: 5 – 8 lp/mm
What antomical variations might we see in Xrays?
- Fused roots
- Extra roots
- Acute root change of directions
- Bone loss -> periodontal dx
Indications for dental Xray?
- Periodontitis
- Pulp necrosis
- Dental fractures
- Tooth resorption
- Chronic Gingivostomatitis/ Chronic Ulcerative Paradontal Stomatitis
- Persistent Deciduous teeth
- Malocclusion
- Supernummerary /malerupted/unerupted teeth
- Caries
- teeth associated with pathologic lesions
What can we get form unerupted teeth?
Dentigerous cysts (fluid filled -> bone lysis)
Feline Dentistry?
- Diagnosis of tooth resorption mostly
- Feline chronic gingivostomattiis (FCGS) requires dental radiographs to determine wether extractions have been carried out succesfully
What other names for Tooth resorption?
‘Neck Lesions’, ‘Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions’, ‘FORL’
Describe what is tooth resorption
- Abnormal destruction of dental hard tissues and its replacement with granulation tissue or bone
Describe the 3 types (classifications) of Tooth REsorption?
Type 1 - Associated with inflammation, present at the cemento-enamel junction, root unaffected
Type 2 - Replacement resorption, cellular activity on the root surface
Type 3 - a combination of type 1 & 2
