Radiography of Periodontal Disease

Question 1

what’re some limitations of radiographs

Answer 1

• 2D view of 3D situation
• body defects could be hidden (buccally/lingually)
• only interproximal bone shown
• no soft tissue info

Question 2

what are the 3 ways of describing bone loss & info

Answer 2

1. extent
   - extent/pattern of bone loss
2. staging
   - bone loss at worst site = severity
3. grading
   - % bone loss/patient age = rate of progression

Question 3

whats classed as generalised bone loss?

Answer 3

> 30%

Question 4

whats the difference between horizontal and vertical bone loss?

Answer 4

horizontal:
- whole bone level between 2 teeth moves down
vertical:
- discrepancy in degree of bone loss between 2 adjacent sites

Question 5

what might vertical bone loss indicate

Answer 5

rapid bone loss
anatomical feature

Question 6

what are ‘combined lesions’

Answer 6

perio & endo lesions combined
- widened PDL diameter on radiograph

Question 7

whats sclerosis

Answer 7

chronic osseous inflammation
- autoimmune condition of connective tissues

Question 8

pros & cons of panoramic radiographs

Answer 8

PROS
- show entire dentition
- time efficient
- lower dose
- well tolerated by patients
CONS
- contact point overlap
- sensitive to patient position

Question 9

what are bitewings used for

Answer 9

• caries diagnosis
• more reproducible
• better for comparisons

Question 10

pros and cons of periapicals

Answer 10

PROS
- high quality
- reproducible
CONS
- need film holders & paralleling technique