Use of radiographs

Question 1

Dental radiography

Answer 1

is an important diagnostic tool used in dentistry + medicine to help the clinician to see within the body tissues + help diagnose the cause of dental + medical problems

In oral health assessment + trt planning, dental radiographs are used to detect + diagnose the following lesions + structures:

Question 2

Dental caries

Answer 2

shows up as a dark area of destruction extending inwards from the enamel surface

Question 3

Presence + extent of periodontal disease

Answer 3

shows up as a loss of the lamina dura forming the crest of the alveolar bone, loss of heigh to the alveolar bone, + a widening of periodontal ligament space

Question 4

Periodontal + periapical abscesses

Answer 4

chronic alveolar abscesses show up as dark circular area at the apex of affected tooth, caused by destruction of apical lamina dura + spongey bone

Question 5

Cysts affecting dental tissues

Answer 5

show up as enlarged darker areas surrounding other structures, + can sometimes be seen to be pushing tooth roots out of normal positions

Question 6

Latrogenic problems

Answer 6

i.e. those cause by the dentist; such as overhanging restorations or tooth perforations by posts

Question 7

To detect supernumerary teeth + unerupted teeth

Answer 7

or to determine the congenital absence of unerupted teeth

Question 8

To diagnose hard tissue lesions

Answer 8

such as bone cysts + tumours, salivary calculi + jaw fractures

Question 9

Also used during provision of dental trt to avoid problems occurring, to ensure trt is successful + monitor health of tooth:

Answer 9

to aid in provision of endodontic trt
to monitor health of tooth after endodontic trt
to determine number + positions of tooth roots before XLA
to ensure health of tooth before + after crown or bridge prep
to ensure health of tooth before it is used as an abutment during denture construction