Diagnosis Or Caries And Perio Disease

Question 1

What are the recommended technique re. Diagnosing caries?

Answer 1

Bite wings ( usually horizontal) 
Paralleling peri apicals

Question 2

What can often be mistaken for caries radiographically?

Answer 2

Cervical burnout or translucency
Air/lip shadow in pre molar region
Radiolucent restorations
Mach effect- contrast under metallic restorations

Question 3

Where is cervical burn out evident?

Answer 3

Neck of tooth
Triangular
Usually affects all teeth

Question 4

How is cervical burnout created?

Answer 4

Less tooth tissue at edges of teeth from the X-ray beam to pass through therefore radiolucencies appear

Question 5

What can limitations in caries diagnosis be due to?

Answer 5

Overlap- caused by technique and anatomy
Exposure factors
2D image

Question 6

What are limitations in caries diagnosis?

Answer 6

Following features can't be determined:
Exact site of caries
Buccal lingual extent
Distance between lesion and pulp
Presence of enamel lesions
Presence of some caries adjacent to restoration

Question 7

What are the benefits of bite wings and paralleling peri apicals?

Answer 7

Accurate images
Positioning devices determine angulation
Reproducible

Question 8

When can carious lesions be detected radiographically?

Answer 8

When demineralised 30-40%