Radiology 9

Question 1

What considerations should go into taking a radiograph?

Answer 1

1. Selection of appropriate radiograph should be based on patient’s history & clinical examination.
2. Routine use of x-rays based on generalised approach is unacceptable.
3. Individual prescription required.
4. Routine/screening radiograph prescriptions must be based on knowledge of the prevalence of disease.

Question 2

What is interpretation of radiographs based on?

Answer 2

 Knowledge of anatomy
 Knowledge of disease process
 Understand the effects of :-
 Positioning
 Exposure
 Processing
 For digital imaging, the programme algorithms & computer factors

Question 3

What radiographs are considered “gold standard” for diagnosing caries?

Answer 3

Bitewings (usually horizontal)

*or paralleling periapicals

Question 4

What is cervical burnout?

Answer 4

Overexposure of the film can “burnout” the thinner sections of enamel, giving the false appearance of cervical caries.

Question 5

Which guidelines can be referred to for children when diagnosing caries from a radiograph?

Answer 5

SIGN guidelines

Question 6

Which view should be used if there is poor co-operation?

Answer 6

Bitewing

Question 7

Radiographing caries: High risk child

Answer 7

6 monthly

Question 8

Radiographing caries: Moderate risk child

Answer 8

annually

Question 9

Radiographing caries: low risk child

Answer 9

12-18 months deciduous

Question 10

Radiographing caries: low risk child (permanent teeth)

Answer 10

24 months or more for permanent teeth

Question 11

Trabecula pattern

Answer 11

Is a supportive and connective tissue element which form in cancellous bone.

Question 12

Mandible: trabecular pattern

Answer 12

thick, close together, horizontally aligned

Question 13

Maxilla: trabecular pattern

Answer 13

finer, more widely spaced, no obvious alignment pattern

Question 14

Three most important features when checking for a healthy peri-radicular area

Answer 14

1. Radiolucent line representing periodontal ligament space.
2. Radiopaque line representing lamina dura.
3. Trabecular pattern and density of surrounding bone.

Question 15

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: Initial acute inflammation

Answer 15

No apparent changes OR possible widening of periodontal ligament space.

Question 16

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: Initial spread of inflammation

Answer 16

Loss of lamina dura at apex

Question 17

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: further inflammatory spread

Answer 17

periapical bone loss

Question 18

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: Initial chronic inflammation

Answer 18

No bone destruction seen OR dense sclerotic bone periapically (sclerosing osteitis)

Question 19

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: chronic inflammation (long standing)

Answer 19

• Circumscribed, well defined, radiolucent area periapically with sclerotic bone surrounding
• Radiolucency sometimes described as rarefying osteitis

Question 20

Radiographic appearance of periapical pathology: chronic inflammation (long standing)

Answer 20

• Circumscribed, well defined, radiolucent area periapically with sclerotic bone surrounding
• Radiolucency sometimes described as rarefying osteitis