Dental Radiography and Radiographs

Definition and Purpose

• Dental radiography: the process of producing images of the teeth and surrounding tissues using X-rays or other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
• Purpose: to diagnose and monitor oral health conditions, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and abnormalities in the jaw and facial bones.

Types of Dental Radiographs

• Intraoral radiographs:
  • Bite-wing radiographs: show the upper and lower teeth and the surrounding bone.
  • Periapical radiographs: show the entire tooth, including the root and surrounding bone.
  • Occlusal radiographs: show the teeth and jawbone in the occlusal (biting) surface.
• Extraoral radiographs:
  • Panoramic radiographs: show the entire mouth, including the teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissues.
  • Cephalometric radiographs: show the entire head, including the teeth, jawbone, and facial bones.
  • Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs: show detailed 3D images of the teeth and surrounding tissues.

Radiation Safety

• Principles of radiation safety:
  • As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle: minimize exposure to radiation.
  • Use of lead aprons and thyroid collars to reduce exposure.
  • Limiting the number of radiographs taken.
• Radiation exposure guidelines:
  • National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) guidelines.
  • American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines.

Digital Radiography

• Advantages:
  • Lower radiation exposure.
  • Immediate image availability.
  • Ability to enhance and manipulate images.
  • Environmentally friendly (no chemical processing).
• Types of digital radiography:
  • Direct digital radiography: uses a digital sensor to capture the image.
  • Indirect digital radiography: uses a phosphor plate to capture the image, which is then scanned and digitized.

Image Interpretation

• Key elements to evaluate:
  • Tooth morphology and structure.
  • Bone quality and density.
  • Presence of pathology (e.g. caries, periodontal disease).
  • Presence of anomalies (e.g. extra teeth, root fractures).
• Importance of accurate interpretation:
  • Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Identification of potential oral health problems.

Definition and Purpose of Dental Radiography

• Dental radiography is the process of producing images of the teeth and surrounding tissues using X-rays or other forms of electromagnetic radiation.
• The purpose of dental radiography is to diagnose and monitor oral health conditions, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and abnormalities in the jaw and facial bones.

Types of Dental Radiographs

• Intraoral radiographs include:
  • Bite-wing radiographs that show the upper and lower teeth and the surrounding bone.
  • Periapical radiographs that show the entire tooth, including the root and surrounding bone.
  • Occlusal radiographs that show the teeth and jawbone in the occlusal (biting) surface.
• Extraoral radiographs include:
  • Panoramic radiographs that show the entire mouth, including the teeth, jawbone, and surrounding tissues.
  • Cephalometric radiographs that show the entire head, including the teeth, jawbone, and facial bones.
  • Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs that show detailed 3D images of the teeth and surrounding tissues.

Radiation Safety Principles

• The ALARA principle aims to minimize exposure to radiation.
• Lead aprons and thyroid collars are used to reduce exposure to radiation.
• The number of radiographs taken should be limited.
• Radiation exposure guidelines are set by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and the American Dental Association (ADA).

Digital Radiography

• Advantages of digital radiography include:
  • Lower radiation exposure.
  • Immediate image availability.
  • Ability to enhance and manipulate images.
  • Environmentally friendly (no chemical processing).
• Types of digital radiography include:
  • Direct digital radiography that uses a digital sensor to capture the image.
  • Indirect digital radiography that uses a phosphor plate to capture the image, which is then scanned and digitized.

Image Interpretation

• Key elements to evaluate in dental radiographs include:
  • Tooth morphology and structure.
  • Bone quality and density.
  • Presence of pathology (e.g. caries, periodontal disease).
  • Presence of anomalies (e.g. extra teeth, root fractures).
• Accurate interpretation of dental radiographs is important for:
  • Accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Identification of potential oral health problems.