Unit 306 Flashcards
Why do we take dental radiographs?
To diagnose and detect
Dental caries on a radiograph shows up as…
a dark area extending inwards from the enamel.
Periodontal disease shows up as…
A loss of the lamina dura (compact bone)
loss of height of the alveolar bone
widening of the periodontal ligament space.
Periodontal and periapical abscesses show up as…
A dark circular area at the apex.
Destruction of the apical lamina dura and spongy bone.
Cysts show up as…
enlarged darker areas surrounding other structures
Can sometimes push tooth roots out of their normal positions.
Examples of Latrogenic problems caused by the dentist:
Overhanging restorations
Root perforations by posts.
If a 14 year old patient had still not recieved their UL3 what would a radiograph detect?
Supernumerary and unerupted teeth
To determine the congenital absence of unerupted teeth
What does congenital absence mean?
Permanent absence of tooth
If a patient had a large swelling on the jaw what could a radiograph determine?
Hard tissue lesions such as bone cysts, tumours
Examples of what treatments radiographs are used in:
Endodontics
Extraction
Orthodontics
Implants
Preparations crown/bridge
A type of ionising radiation…
X-ray
What type of radiation is an X-ray?
Electromagnetic
What does radiopaque mean and examples?
Radiation cant pass through
Appear light grey to white
Crowns, restorations
What does radiolucent mean and examples?
Radiation can pass through
Appear dark grey to black
Cavities, soft tissues
The outer layer of bone on an xray will appear whiter than the cancellous inner layer.
What is the reason behind x-rays hitting the atoms of the tissue cells?
Scatter or absorbtion
What can happen if radiation energy is absorbed into our tissue cells?
Tissue damage
If the radiation energy hit the chromosomes in our body what could happen?
Damage
Undergo change “MUTATION”
Possibly the chromosomes would die.
What does ALARP stand for?
As low as reasonably practicable
What does ALARA stand for?
As low as reasonably achievable
Where is the controlled zone when an x-ray is being took?
Inside the surgery with the patient.
Why should Quality assurance systems be regularly operated (audits)?
Ensure the dental images produced are to a consistently high standard.
Is ionising radiation potentially hazardous to health?
YES
Is there a safe level of use regarding radiation?
NO