NBDHE Dental Radiography and Interpretation Flashcards

Which type of dental radiograph is most useful for evaluating the entire tooth including the apex and surrounding bone?

Answer: Periapical

Periapical radiographs capture the entire tooth from crown to apex along with surrounding alveolar bone.

On a periapical radiograph, a radiolucent halo around the apex of a non-vital tooth most likely represents:

Answer: Periapical abscess or granuloma

A periapical radiolucency around a non-vital tooth typically indicates a periapical abscess, granuloma, or cyst.

The paralleling technique for periapical radiographs requires the film or sensor to be placed:

Answer: Parallel to the long axis of the teeth with the central ray perpendicular

The paralleling technique positions the receptor parallel to the tooth's long axis with the X-ray beam directed perpendicular to both.

Elongation of a tooth image on a periapical radiograph is caused by:

Answer: Insufficient vertical angulation

Insufficient (too little) vertical angulation causes elongation because the X-ray beam is directed too flat relative to the tooth.

Which radiographic landmark appears as a radiopaque Y-shaped structure in the maxillary premolar region?

Answer: Inverted Y (junction of nasal fossa and maxillary sinus)

The inverted Y is formed by the junction of the floor of the nasal fossa and the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus, visible in the maxillary premolar area.

A 'double lamina dura' appearance on a periapical radiograph may be associated with:

Answer: Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism can cause altered bone metabolism that produces a double lamina dura appearance around teeth.

When using the bisecting angle technique, the central ray should be directed:

Answer: Perpendicular to the bisector of the angle formed by the tooth and the receptor

In the bisecting angle technique, the X-ray beam is directed perpendicular to an imaginary line that bisects the angle between the tooth and the receptor.