This document provides an overview of radiographic interpretation for dental students. It includes objectives, content descriptions, and examples of normal anatomy, carious lesions, restorative materials, and other abnormalities on dental radiographs. It also presents three case studies for students to review radiographs and diagnose patients based on their symptoms. The document aims to help students better understand interpreting dental x-rays and relating radiographic findings to patient symptoms.

1. Kathleen Trottier
trott104@canton.edu
EDU300-Prof.Yu
July 22, 2011
UNIT 1
RADIOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATION

2. Objectives
At the end of this unit the student will:
 Identify normal anatomical landmarks
 Identify carious lesions and dental disease
on an x-ray
 Relate radiographic findings with dental
patient symptoms

3. Content
This presentation is to better help you understand the reading materials
for the interpretation chapter in your textbook. Please do not use this
presentation alone as your source of understanding. Most terms and
definitions have been defined in previous chapters and in the one for this
unit. This is for visual and further understanding.

4. Bitewing Radiograph
Depicts posterior molars and premolars biting together
used to detect early to advanced dental cavities

5. Normal Anatomy
Normal Anatomy on the Panoramic Radiograph
Glenoid Fossa
Condyle Orbit Nasal Septum
Hard Palate
Maxillary Tuberosity
Maxillary Tuberosity
Internal Oblique Ridge
Mandibular Canal
External Oblique Ridge
Border of Mandible
Sub-Mandibular Fossa
Mental Foramen
Lingual Foramen Collar Bone
Collar Bone

6. Normal Anatomy
Bone
Bone
Bone
Nerve
Enamel
Nerve

7. Carious Lesions and Abnormalities
Cavities on an x-ray will appear in between
the teeth (interproximally) just below the
contact point. They appear as early grey/dark
notches and progress to shadowed areas as
depicted here.
Can you find the cavity in this
x-ray? Click if you can’t see it

8. What About Here?

9. Restorative Materials Are Normal
Crowns appear as bright white areas
covering the entire crown of the tooth
White or composite fillings are less
bright than crowns or silver amalgam
fillings
Silver or Amalgam fillings are
bright white areas usually only
appearing on one part of the
tooth

10. More Restorative Materials
To replace teeth that have
been lost, patients often
opts for permanent
implants or fixed bridges
Root canals are seen on x-rays
when the nerve of the tooth is
bright white

11. Identify The Material
1. Implant
3 2. Root Canal
2 3. White Filling
4. Silver Filling
1 5. Bridge
4
5

12. Other Abnormalities
Dental calculus
appears as white
wing-like projections
Grey areas surrounding the root(s) of a tooth are
termed periapical radiolucencies or lesions.
These are indicative that the nerve is infected
either from decay or trauma or bacteria.

13. Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are difficult to see on bitewing or periapical films so a
panoramic is often necessary to determine whether they should be taken
out or left alone. The highlighted areas show impacted third molars in the
lower jaw.

14. CASE STUDIES
Using your textbook and the notes
provided, determine the most likely
diagnosis based on the patient symptoms
and radiographs. Try to answer them
yourself. The answers will appear in the
blue areas at the bottom of the slide.
Continue

15. CASE 1: ABIGAIL, 18
This morning, Abigail’s mother called the office stating that her daughter
is having pain in her jaw that has been getting worse over the past three
weeks. The receptionist schedules Abigail for an emergency exam.
When Abigail arrives, Dr. Foerster instructs his dental assistant to take a
panoramic film.
What is Abigail’s
diagnosis and
what is the typical
treatment?
Impacted third molars and Extraction

16. CASE 2: EDWARD, 47
Today, Edward is here for his routine cleaning, x-rays and check-
up. Upon reviewing his health history and asking if there are any
problems we should be aware of, Edwards tells you that he has
been having some sensitivity to sweet foods on his upper right and
left sides. Below are his bitewing x-rays.
Based on his
symptoms and the
x-rays, what is Ed’s
diagnosis today?
Cavities

17. CASE 3: MONICA, 31
This morning, Monica left a message on the emergency service
that she had been hit in the face over the weekend and is in
extreme pain. We called Monica first thing and asked her to come
into the office so we could take a look. She points to the front of
her face that exhibits some swelling. The assistant takes a
periapical film of the area.
Based on the x-rays, what is
Monica’s diagnosis and how will we
treat her today?
Periapical abscess from trauma, root canal to
kill the nerve.

18. Conclusion
This concludes the interactive portion for this unit. When
you feel you are ready, please take the exam. The
answer sheet is in the folder for the exam. Please follow
the directions carefully. Contact me if you have any
questions.