Radio indications

Question 1

pA (indications + microsievert/BERT)

Answer 1

Indications are identical regardless of whether you use paralleling or bisecting angle technique

1. Periapical pathology
2. endodontic treatment
3. pre-op for exodontia
4. trauma
5. impacted/unerupted teeth
6. Assessment of periodontal status (i.e. bone loss)
7. Assessment for implants

5 microsieverts
0.6 BERT

Question 2

1. Is paralleling technique or bisecting angle technique better?
2. When would you use one over the other?

Answer 2

1. Paralleling technique is always preferred because:
   a) produces geometrically accurate images
   b) is consistently reproducible/you don’t have to work out angulation
2. bisecting angle technique only used when paralleling technique note possible because of the below reasons:
   a) patient can’t open wide enough: child or trismus
   b) patient has sensitive gag reflex
   c) anatomical restriction: shallow lingual frenum/palate

Question 3

Bitewing (indications + microsievert/BERT)

Answer 3

1. interproximal caries and calculus
2. assessment of restoration/secondary caries
3. Assessment of periodontal status (i.e. bone loss)

5 microsieverts
0.6 BERT

Question 4

Occlusal radiograph (indications + microsievert/BERT)

Answer 4

1. locate retained root, impacted teeth, unerupted teeth, supernumerary teeth
2. jaw fractures and cleft palate
3. USED WITHOUT ABOVE INDICATIONS IN PATIENTS THAT CAN’T OPEN MOUTH MORE THAN >2MM (YES MM NOT CM!)

5 microsieverts
0.6 BERT

Question 5

OPG (indications + microsievert/BERT)

Answer 5

1. evaluate overall dentition
2. intraosseous pathos
3. TMJ
4. maxillofacial trauma

25 microsieverts
3 BERT

Question 6

CT/CBCT

Answer 6

Provides 3D and very high resolution

1. Implant planning
2. TMD assessment (ONLY IF HARD TISSUE PATHO EXPECTED!)
3. Oral surgery
   a) craniofacial surgery
   b) cleft lip and palate
   c) impacted teeth with sinus or IAN involvement

200 microsieverts
25 BERT

Question 7

MRI

Answer 7

Soft tissue imaging

1. assessing a) position or b) integrity of articular disc in TMJ
2. imaging neoplasms of soft tissue (e.g. neoplasms of tongue, salivary glands or lymph nodes)

NO RADIATION!