UNIT 1RADIOGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION

Kathleen Trottiertrott104@canton.eduEDU300-Prof.YuJuly 22, 2011

Objectives

Identify normal anatomical landmarks

Identify carious lesions and dental disease on an x-ray

Relate radiographic findings with dental patient symptoms

At the end of this unit the student will:

Content

This presentation is to better help you understand the reading materials for the interpretation chapter in your textbook. Please

do not use this presentation alone as your source of understanding. Most terms and definitions have been defined in previous chapters and in the one for this unit. This is for visual

and further understanding.

Depicts posterior molars and premolars biting togetherused to detect early to advanced dental cavities

Bitewing Radiograph

Normal Anatomy

Nasal Septum

OrbitCondyleGlenoid Fossa

Hard Palate

Maxillary Tuberosity Maxillary Tuberosity

Collar BoneCollar Bone

Border of Mandible

Mandibular Canal

Internal Oblique Ridge

External Oblique Ridge

Mental Foramen

Sub-Mandibular Fossa

Lingual Foramen

Normal Anatomy on the Panoramic Radiograph

Normal Anatomy

BoneBone

Bone

NerveEnamel

Nerve

Carious Lesions and Abnormalities

Cavities on an x-ray will appear in between the teeth (interproximally) just below the contact point. They appear as early grey/dark notches and progress to shadowed areas as depicted here.

Can you find the cavity in this x-ray? Click if you can’t see it

What About Here?

Restorative Materials Are Normal

Crowns appear as bright white areas covering the entire crown of the toothWhite or composite fillings are less bright than crowns or silver amalgam fillings

Silver or Amalgam fillings are bright white areas usually only appearing on one part of the tooth

More Restorative Materials

Root canals are seen on x-rays when the nerve of the tooth is bright white

To replace teeth that have been lost, patients often opts for permanent implants or fixed bridges

Identify The Material

1

23

4

5

1. Implant

2. Root Canal

3. White Filling4. Silver Filling

5. Bridge

Other Abnormalities

Grey areas surrounding the root(s) of a tooth are termed periapical radiolucencies or lesions. These are indicative that the nerve is infected either from decay or trauma or bacteria.

Dental calculus appears as white wing-like projections

Wisdom Teeth

Wisdom teeth are difficult to see on bitewing or periapical films so a panoramic is often necessary to determine whether they should be taken out or left alone. The highlighted areas show

impacted third molars in the lower jaw.

CASE STUDIES

Continue

Using your textbook and the notes provided, determine the most likely

diagnosis based on the patient symptoms and radiographs. Try to answer them yourself. The answers will appear in the blue areas at the

bottom of the slide.

CASE 1: ABIGAIL, 18

Impacted third molars and Extraction

This morning, Abigail’s mother called the office stating that her daughter is having pain in her jaw that has been getting worse over the past three weeks. The receptionist schedules Abigail for an emergency exam. When Abigail arrives, Dr. Foerster instructs his dental assistant to take a panoramic film.

What is Abigail’s diagnosis and what is the typical treatment?

CASE 2: EDWARD, 47

Cavities

Today, Edward is here for his routine cleaning, x-rays and check-up. Upon reviewing his health history and asking if there are any problems we should be aware of, Edwards tells you that he has been having some sensitivity to sweet foods on his upper right and left sides. Below are his bitewing x-rays.

Based on his symptoms and the x-rays, what is Ed’s diagnosis today?

CASE 3: MONICA, 31

Periapical abscess from trauma, root canal to kill the nerve.

This morning, Monica left a message on the emergency service that she had been hit in the face over the weekend and is in extreme pain. We called Monica first thing and asked her to come into the office so we could take a look. She points to the front of her face that exhibits some swelling. The assistant takes a periapical film of the area.

Based on the x-rays, what is Monica’s diagnosis and how will we treat her today?

Conclusion

This concludes the interactive portion for this unit. When you feel you are ready, please take the exam. The answer sheet is in the folder for the exam. Please follow the directions carefully.

Contact me if you have any questions.