Maxillary Periapical Radiograph

Question 1

How many maxillary periapical radiographs are there?

Answer 1

7 Maxillary periapical radiograph; 3 anterior and 4 posterior

Question 2

Maxillary central incisor region

Answer 2

• Film: size 2
• Packet placement: behind two maxillary centrals
• Radiographic appearance: R & L central incisors centered, R & L laterals incisors all or partially visible.
• Apices: R & L central incisors- 4-5 mm or periapical tissue visible, R & L lateral incisors- usually only partially visible.

Question 3

Maxillary Right & Left Cuspid Region

Answer 3

• Film: size 2
• Packet placement: film centered behind the lateral incisor- canine interproximal space. Or is centered directly behind cupid/canine tooth.
• Radiographic appearance: Lateral canine interproximal space is entered and not overlapped. Shows all of the lateral incisor, canine, and portions of the central incisor and 1st pre-molar.
• Apices: R or L lateral incisors and R or L cuspid- 2-5 mm of periapical tissue visible.

Question 4

Maxillary R and L Premolar Region

Answer 4

• Film: size 2
• Packet Placement: film positioned MESIAL to include the distal half of the canine. The film should be positioned PARALLEL to the LINGUAL surface of the teeth.
• Key Interproximal Space: central ray directed parallel to the 1st premolar- 2nd premolar interproximal space
• Radiographic Appearance: distal half of canine, all of the 1st and 2nd premolars, all of the 1st molar, part of 2nd molar. The 1st premolar-2nd premolar interproximal space should be open and the canine- 1st premolar incidentally.
• Apices: R or L 1st-2nd premolars- 3-4 mm of periapical tissue visible- canine and 1st molar root apices usually only partially visible.

Question 5

Maxillary R & L Molar Region

Answer 5

• Film: size 2
• Packet Placement: film positioned DISTAL to include ALL OF THE MOLAR REGION. The film should also be positioned PARALLEL to the PALATAL surface of the teeth.
• Key Interproximal Space: Central ray directed parallel to the 1st molar and 2nd molar interproximal space.
• Radiographic Appearance: the distal half of the 2nd premolar, and all of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molar. the 1st-2nd interproximal space should be open.

Apices: R or L 1st, 2nd, and 3rd molar 3-4 mm of periapical tissue visible.