Interpretation of Radiographs

Question 1

How can you guess age from radiograph

Answer 1

Look at molars 6, 7, 8
Erupt at ages 6, 12, 18
3 years for root to fully form

Question 2

What is a legal requirement for radiographs

Answer 2

clinical evaluation of the outcome of each exposure
must be recorded in accordance with the employers procedure
responsibility of referrer

Question 3

What is buccal pit and fissure caries confused with on a radiograph

Answer 3

occlusal caries

Question 4

What may lingual smooth surface caries be confused with on radiographs

Answer 4

occlusal and buccal caries

particularly at the GM it can be projected at the same height as other types of caries

Question 5

What is root caries confused with in radiographs

Answer 5

cervical burnout

Question 6

What are the methods for caries diagnosis

Answer 6

visual (wet, dry)
radiography (film, digital)
elective temporary tooth seperation
fiberoptic transillumination
electrical methods
laser fluorescence 
calcivis

Question 7

What is calcivis

Answer 7

detects calcium ion loss from demineralising tooth surfaces

Question 8

What is cervical burnout

Answer 8

• Phenomenon caused by relative lower X-ray absorption on the mesial or distal aspect of teeth, between the edge of the enamel and the adjacent crest of the alveolar ridge
  Because of the relative diminished X-ray absorption, these areas appear relatively radiolucency with ill-defined margins

Question 9

Why does cervical burnout occur

Answer 9

the bucco-lingual dimensions of the teeth are variable

the structures to be transferred are variable (enamel and surrounding bone)

Question 10

What type of teeth is cervical burnout usually seen on

Answer 10

periodontal disease affected

Question 11

How can you tell if a restoration is cast on or amalgam on radiograph

Answer 11

nice margins = cast on

Question 12

For pockets that are 4-5mm what type of radiograph should be taken

Answer 12

horizontal bitewings should be taken

Question 13

For pockets that are 6mm or more what type of radiograph should be taken

Answer 13

vertical bitewings + periapicals (if bone is not shown) should be taken

Question 14

If there are irregular bone levels what type of radiographs should you take

Answer 14

you may supplement with periapicals if you are needing to see the bone

Question 15

What is panoramic useful for in periodontal assessment

Answer 15

n overview of all teeth, supplemented by periapicals if required, or full periapicals

Question 16

For suspected perio/endo lesions what type of radiograph is required

Answer 16

periapical

Question 17

For periodontal radiography, if you are doing a panoramic what is required

Answer 17

orthogonal projection (P4)

Question 18

What is crucial for periodontal radiography

Answer 18

beam angulation

Question 19

What should the horizontal angle of the x-ray beam be for periodontal radiography

Answer 19

to be 90 degrees to the line of arch to avoid overlaps of adjacent teeth as overlap can be an issue for bone level detection and caries

Question 20

What should the vertical angle be for periodontal radiography

Answer 20

should always be 90 degrees to the long axis of the tooth

Question 21

If pockets are difficult to show on radiograph what can be done

Answer 21

consider putting a gutta percha point into that pocket and the tip will show you where the base of the pocket is