More Radiographic Interpretation

Question 1

how to describe lesions?

Answer 1

1. Site
2. Size
3. Shape
4. Margins
5. Internal structure
6. Effect on adjacent anatomy
7. Number

Question 2

What makes jaw lesions radiolucent or radiopaque?

Answer 2

Can be radiolucent due to:
* Resorption of bone
* ↓ mineralisation of bone
* ↓ thickness of bone
* Replacement of bone with abnormal,
less-mineralised tissue

Can be radiopaque due to:
* ↑ thickness of bone
* Osteosclerosis of bone
* Presence of abnormal tissues
* Mineralisation of normally non-mineralised
tissues

Question 3

what do you suspect if more than one lesion?

Answer 3

• Suspect a syndrome if multiple (>2) lesions

Question 4

what happens to infected cysts in radiology?

Answer 4

Infected cysts can lose their well-defined, corticated margins

Question 5

what are “Not uncommon” radiopacities?

Answer 5

Idiopathic osteosclerosis
Sclerosing osteitis
Hypercementosis
Buried retained roots
(Unerupted teeth including supernumeraries)

Question 6

what does idiopathic osteosclerosis present like radiograph?

Answer 6

Well-defined radiopacity
* Often homogeneous
* No radiolucent margin

Variable shape
* Round, elliptical, irregular, etc.

Size usually < 2cm

Question 7

what does sclerosing osteitis present like radiographically?

Answer 7

• Well-defined or poorly-defined radiopacity
• Variable shape
• Directly associated with source of inflammation
  > Apex of necrotic tooth, infected cyst, etc.

Question 8

what is hypercementosis?

Answer 8

Excessive deposition of cementum around root
* Non-neoplastic & asymptomatic
* Tooth vital (unless necrotic due to another reason)

Question 9

what does hypercementosis present radiographically?

Answer 9

Single or multiple teeth involved
* Involves either entirety of root or just a section

Homogeneous radiopacity continuous with root surface
* Radiodensity subtly different to dentine of root

PDL space of tooth extends around periphery

Margins well-defined & often smooth (but can be irregular)