NBDHE NBDHE Dental Radiography and Interpretation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The radiopaque line that represents the floor of the maxillary sinus on a periapical radiograph is known as the:
- Hard palate
- Zygomatic process of the maxilla
- Cortical boundary of the maxillary sinus (Correct answer)
- Nasal septum
Correct answer: Cortical boundary of the maxillary sinus
The cortical boundary of the maxillary sinus floor appears as a thin radiopaque line superimposed over the maxillary molar roots.
Question 2: Which film speed is currently recommended by the ADA for intraoral radiography to minimize patient dose?
- D-speed (Ultra-speed)
- E-speed (Ektaspeed)
- F-speed (Insight) (Correct answer)
- A-speed
Correct answer: F-speed (Insight)
F-speed (Insight) film requires the least radiation exposure to produce a diagnostic image and is currently the fastest film speed recommended.
Question 3: A periapical radiograph shows a radiolucent lesion at the apex of a mandibular first molar with intact lamina dura. Vitality testing is positive. The most likely diagnosis is:
- Periapical granuloma
- Periapical cyst
- Incisive canal cyst
- Normal anatomic variant such as the mental foramen (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Normal anatomic variant such as the mental foramen
A radiolucency near the apex of a vital tooth with intact lamina dura most likely represents superimposition of the mental foramen, a normal anatomic structure.
Question 4: Which radiation protection device is most critical for the dental radiographer to wear during X-ray exposures?
- Lead apron
- Thyroid collar
- Leaded gloves
- Dosimeter badge (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Dosimeter badge
A dosimetry badge (personnel monitoring device) is the most critical protective measure because it records actual radiation exposure to ensure dose limits are not exceeded.
Question 5: On a panoramic radiograph, the hyoid bone is typically visible:
- Above the mandible near the condyles
- Below the mandible at the level of the cervical vertebrae (Correct answer)
- Superimposed over the maxillary sinus
- At the level of the zygomatic arch
Correct answer: Below the mandible at the level of the cervical vertebrae
The hyoid bone appears as a radiopaque horseshoe-shaped structure below the mandible, projected over the cervical spine region.
Question 6: Density on a radiographic image refers to:
- The sharpness of the image outline
- The overall blackness or darkness of the processed radiograph (Correct answer)
- The difference between dark and light areas
- The actual size of the image compared to the object
Correct answer: The overall blackness or darkness of the processed radiograph
Radiographic density is the degree of overall blackness or darkness of the processed film or digital image.
Question 7: The cervical burnout artifact on a bitewing radiograph can be mistaken for:
- Pulp stones
- Furcation involvement
- Interproximal caries at the cervical region (Correct answer)
- Enamel hypoplasia
Correct answer: Interproximal caries at the cervical region
Cervical burnout is a radiolucent artifact at the cervical area of teeth caused by the relatively lower density of that region, which can mimic interproximal caries.
NBDHE NBDHE Dental Radiography and Interpretation 4
The radiopaque line that represents the floor of the maxillary sinus on a periapical radiograph is known as the: