Further Radiographic Interpretation

Question 1

Systematic approach of assessing radiograph

Answer 1

Overview
- diagnostically acceptable?
- display issue, technique error, foreign bodies

Teeth
- teeth present and caries and restorations present ?
- number, position, development, conditions of crowns and roots (caries, restorations and resorption)

Apical tissues
- apical pathology?
- lamina dura lost or intact, pdl space (normal, widened and irregular), abnormal radiolucencies/opacities

Periodontal tissues
- bone levels?
- pdl bone levels
- furcation involvements
- calculus deposits

Bone
- bone loss elsewhere on radiographs

Other structures

Question 2

Systematic approach for specific structures?

Answer 2

Site
- dental, alveolar, basal, bind or extra osseous

Radiodensity
- radiolucent, radiopaque, combo

Shape
- round, oval, scalloped, multiocular

Margins
- well/ill defined
- corticated/non-corticated
- smooth or irregular

Size

Multiplicity
- solitary, few or many

Relation to other structures
- e.g. at crown of unerupted tooth

Effect in other structures
- none, displacement, expansion, resorption