Radiographic Techniques and Exam Preparation Chp 15,16,17

Bitewing Radiographs

Radiographs that display crowns and alveolar bone crests of maxillary and mandibular teeth.

Decay

The process of demineralization leading to cavities in teeth.

Bone Level

The height of the alveolar bone that supports the teeth.

Size 2 Sensor

Preferred sensor size for patients with mixed dentition.

Horizontal Placement

The traditional placement of sensors that records information in bitewing radiographs.

Vertical Bitewings

Bitewing technique used when a patient has periodontal disease.

Sensor Positioning

Adjusting the sensor in the oral cavity to avoid a sloping occlusal plane.

Distal of Canine

The area where the distal bitewing is positioned.

Perpendicular Central Ray

The goal for central ray alignment to avoid overlapping images.

Mesial Overlapping

Overlap of images that occurs when horizontal angulation is too far mesial.

Vertical Angulation for Bitewing

Approximately +10 degrees is the correct vertical angulation for bitewings.

Oclusal Radiographs

Radiographs used to locate supernumerary teeth, cysts, and evaluate fractures.

Topographical Technique

Technique that aligns the maxillary image's occlusal plane parallel to the floor.

Cross Sectional Technique

Technique used almost exclusively for mandibular diagnoses.

Panoramic Radiograph

Wide view radiograph that examines large areas and locates impacted teeth.

Focal Trough

The area where objects are recorded distinctly on a panoramic image.

Rotational X-ray Tube Head

Component of the panoramic machine that emits the x-ray beam.

Patient Positioning

Crucial for ensuring clear panoramic images by aligning the Frankfort plane.

Radiopaque Artifacts

Objects that obscure images due to being in the path of the primary beam.

Ala-Tragus Line

An anatomical reference line used for patient positioning.

Exposure Control Panel

Device that controls the exposure time and intensity for radiographs.

Artifacts

Unwanted marks or imperfections in radiographic images.

Curved Overlap

A certain type of overlapping that may occur in panoramic images.

Shadow of Jewelry

Artifacts created by metal objects present on the patient during imaging.

Crooked Image

An image distortion that occurs due to improper patient alignment.

Chin and Nose too High

Positioning error that can affect the quality of the panoramic image.

Palatoglossal Air Space

An air space that can obscure root apices if not filled during imaging.

Periapical Image

A type of radiograph that shows the entire tooth and surrounding bone.

Advantages of Periapical Images

Better detail for diagnosing periapical diseases compared to other types.

Vertical Angulation

The up or down angle of the x-ray beam relative to the sensor.

Horizontal Angulation

The side-to-side angle of the x-ray beam relative to the sensor.

Interproximal Views

Images that show contact points between adjacent teeth.