Intro to radiological interpretation and reporting Flashcards
What is a bitewing radiograph used for
- the detection of caries mainly
What part of the mouth does a bitewing radiograph show
Shows the upper and lower teeth of one side of the mouth, right left or front kinda thing
What can you see in an anterior periodical radiograph
The whole crown and root of the maxillary/mandibular teeth (think its just be incisors)
What can you see in posterior periodical radiographs
The whole root and crown of the posterior teeth
What does the upper standard occlusal and the lower 90 (true) occlusal radiographs show you
Root and crown of a lot of the maxillary/mandibular teeth, i think there’s a focus on the anteriors
What are occlusal radiographs usually used for
- Fractures
- foreign bodies
- salivary calculus
- expansion
- pathology
What do panoramic radiographs show
The entire oral cavity
What are panoramic radiographs bad for
Carie detection
What are panoramic usually used for
- Perio but don’t have as much detail as multiple peri-apical images
- can see unerupted teeth
- pathology and effect of it on other structures
What is the radiation dose for a panoramic radiograph with and without the salivary glands
7-14mSV without
16-25 mSV - with
Why might you choose a half-panoramic over a panoramic radiograph
reduced radiation dose
only used when its not needed to compare one side to the other
What are the 3 categories of radiograph quality
1, 2 and 3
1 is the best
Name some features of an optimum viewing condition when taking a radiograph
- Need and even, uniform and bright light on the screen
- Need a dark and quiet viewing room
- could use magnifying glasses
When is a wardray viewing box used
It has an additional central bright light source that is normally used for overexposed dark films
What is an SDI X-ray reader
It is an intra-oral film reader with built in magnification, this is a magnifying device
Name a procedure where an SDI X-ray reader can be used and why
Root canal to see the fine details of obturation
What decides the amount of information of an image, size of an image file and resolution of image
the number and size of the pixels and the number of shades of grey
What picture is produced if you have a very dense object
X ray beam is absorbed a lot in the object and the image is white (radiopaque)
What is a radiolucent image
This is when you take an x ray for a low density object and the x rays pass through and cause a black image
What is the main limitation in the interpretation of a radiograph
that you are trying to interpret a 2D image of a 3D object
What questions relating to technique should you have to critically assess radiographic quality
- Which technique?
- How much distortion?
- Foreshortened/elongated?
- Rotation/Asymmetry?
- Image resolution and sharpness?
- Light fogging?
- Artefact shadows?
What questions relating to exposure factors should you have to critically assess radiographic quality
- Radiograph correctly exposed for specific reason it was requested?
- Is it too dark/overexposed
- Is it too light/underexposed
- How good is the contrast?
What is contrast
This measures the degree of density between 2 areas on a radiograph.
Contrast makes it easier to distinguish areas of interest.
Higher voltage
What questions relating to processing should you have to critically assess radiographic quality
- Is the radiograph correctly processed?
- Too dark/overdeveloped?
- Too pale/underdeveloped?
- Is it underfixed (dirt with emulsion still present?)
What things should you look for in which order when interpreting a radiograph
- Normal Anatomy
- Errors/artefacts
- Pathology
Is the lamina dura radiopaque or radiolucent
radiopaque
What is the lamina dura
It is a thin layer of dense cortical bone surrounding the root.
What is the alveolar crest
This is the top of the alveolar process, an extension of the mandible and maxilla that holds the tooth sockets
What is a normal distance between the alveolar crest and cemento-enamel junction
Not more than 1.5mm from the cement-enamel junction
