Diagnostic criteria for x-ray images

Question 1

maxillary canine, size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 1

-the canine is centered in the image
-demonstrates the entire canine
-interproximal space between canine and lateral incisor is open
-the canine and first premolar will appear overlapped
because of the transition to a double row of cusps and the normal curvature of the arch

Question 2

maxillary lateral incisor, size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 2

• the lateral incisor is centered in the image
• demonstrates the entire lateral incisor
• interproximal space between lateral incisor and central incisor is open

Question 3

maxillary central incisors, size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 3

• the interproximal space between the two central incisors is centered on the film
• demonstrate both central incisors in their entirety
• interproximal space between centrals is open

Question 4

maxillary premolars, size 2 sensor, horizontal orientation

Answer 4

• demonstrates no less than the distal portion of the canine, the entire first and second premolar, first molar, and mesial portion of the second molar
• interproximal spaces are open with emphasis on the distal of the canine, premolars, and first molar

Question 5

maxillary molar, size 2 sensor, horizontal orientation

Answer 5

• demonstrates the entire first, second, and third molar (or most distal tooth present)
• interproximal spaces open with emphasis between first and second molar

Question 6

mandibular canine, size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 6

• the canine is centered on the image

- demonstrates the entire canine and lateral incisor are open

Question 7

mandibular central incisors, size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 7

• interproximal space of central incisors is centered in the image
• demonstrates entire central and lateral incisors
• interproximal spaces are open

Question 8

mandibular premolars, size 2 sensor, horizontal orientation

Answer 8

• demonstrates no less than the distal portion of the canine, the entire first and second premolar, first molar, and mesial portion of second molar
• interproximal spaces are open with emphasis on the distal of the canine, premolars, and first molar

Question 9

mandibular premolars (alternate technique), size 1 sensor, vertical orientation

Answer 9

• demonstrates no less than the distal portion of the canine, the entire first and second premolar, and mesial portion of first molar
• interproximal spaces are open with emphasis on the distal portion of canine and premolars

Question 10

mandibular molar, size 2 sensor, horizontal orientation

Answer 10

• demonstrates the entire first molar, second molar, and third molar (or most distal tooth)
• interproximal spaces open with emphasis between the first molar and second molar

Question 11

bitewing images premolar

Answer 11

• occlusal place should be straight or slightly curved upward toward the distal
• equal distribution of maxillary and mandibular crowns, and maxillary alveolar crests
• demonstrates no less than the distal portions of the canine crowns, all of the first premolar, second premolar, and first molar crowns, and the mesial of the second molar crowns
• interproximal spaces open with emphasis on the maxillary canine/first premolar and first premolar/second premolar

Question 12

bitewing images molar

Answer 12

• occlusal place should be straight or slightly curved upward toward the distal
• equal distribution of maxillary and mandibular crowns, and maxillary alveolar crests
• demonstrates all of the first molar, second molar, and third molar crowns or the crown of the most distal tooth present
• interproximal spaces open with emphasis between maxillary first molar and second molar

Question 13

When are vertical bitewing images recommended?

Answer 13

• Vertical bitewing images are recommended when the patient has moderate to extensive alveolar bone loss.
• the receptor is places with a vertical orientation over the mandibular premolar teeth and mandibular molar teeth for the premolar and molar bitewing exposures
• when appropriate, the vertical bitewing images may be supplemented with periapical images of anterior teeth