Radiographs
Radiographs are
justified only when the management of the patient is dependent on the information
obtained. A clinical examination is mandatory before a radiograph is taken
(Guidelines for the use of radiographs in clinical orthodontics,
2nd edition. BOS)
Indications for
radiographs
Common
orthodontic views
Radiographic
views for orthodontics
Indications for Dental Panoramic Tomograph
Indications for Cephalometric
lateral skull radiograph
When the clinician requires the following diagnostic information from the radiographs:
1. The presence or absence of
permanent teeth
2. The presence and position of misplaced or supernumary teeth
3. The stage of development of permanent teeth
4. The morphology of unerupted and sometimes erupted teeth
5. The presence and extent of dental disease
6. The presence of orofacial disease
7. The presence, extent and type of any development abnormalities.
8. The relationships of the teeth to the jaws and the jaws to the rest of the
facial skeleton
The common orthodontic views are:
Panoramic - Dental Panoramic
Tomograph (DPT)
Cephalometric - lateral skull radiograph
Choice of view for radiographic examination:
|
Projection
|
Function
|
| DPT or Bimolar: | Identification of the devlopeing dentition |
| Confirmation of the presence/absence of teeth | |
| Preliminary assessment of caries, apical condition. periodontal state | |
| Standard occlusal view: | Identification of abnormal pathology |
| To show presence of unerupted teeth | |
| Vertical parallax localisation either with DPT or periapical film | |
| To supplement bimolar film | |
| Mandibular occlusal: | Localisation of unerupted teeth |
| Periapicals: | To assess root morphology |
| To assess root resporption | |
| To assess apical pathology | |
| In combination with a standard occlusal or second periapical to localise unerupted teeth by horizontal parallax | |
| Bitewings: | To assesss teeth of dobtful prognosis |
| Caries identification and periodontal bone levels | |
| Lateral Cephalometric view: | To assess skeltal pattern and labial segment angulation |
| To aid assessment of unerupted teeth |