Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate IX · Dental Radiography · 10

Interpretation

Bitewings are the best view for interproximal caries and crestal bone, though a lesion must lose about 40-50% of its mineral before it shows. Bone loss is horizontal or vertical relative to a line joining adjacent CEJs. Calculus spurs, overhangs and a widened PDL space are common findings, while cervical burnout and Mach bands only mimic disease.

High-yield facts · 11

  1. Bitewings are the best images for interproximal caries and crestal bone levels.T7S19
  2. About 40-50% demineralization is needed before a carious lesion shows radiographically, so radiographs underestimate depth.T7
  3. Radiographs cannot show buccal/lingual bone, early bone changes, soft tissue attachment or pocket depth; probing is still required.T7
  4. Horizontal bone loss runs parallel to a line joining adjacent CEJs; vertical (angular) bone loss runs oblique to it.T7
  5. A widened PDL space can signal occlusal trauma or early periapical disease.T7
  6. Calculus appears as radiopaque spurs or rings on proximal root surfaces.T7
  7. Overhanging restorations show as radiopaque extensions past the tooth contour and trap plaque.T7
  8. Condensing osteitis is a periapical radiopacity at a tooth with chronic pulp inflammation; hypercementosis is extra cementum around the root (bulbous root).T7T5
  9. Amalgam, gold and stainless steel are completely radiopaque; composite and glass ionomer range from radiolucent to radiopaque by brand.T7
  10. Burnout (cervical burnout) is a normal radiolucent band at the neck of a tooth that mimics root caries.T7
  11. Mach band effect: an illusion of a darker band next to a bright edge, which can mimic caries under restorations.T7

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.