Imaging & radiology

Justify, interpret and act on dental imaging.

8 detailed notes·Clinical examples + recall

Topics

8 notes

Ionising radiation carries risk; every exposure needs justification and optimisation. Know roles, training and local procedures under UK regulations.

Choose bitewing, periapical, occlusal, panoramic or cross-sectional imaging according to the question and expected management impact.

Recognise projection and exposure errors. Interpret the whole image for caries, bone levels, periapical disease and incidental findings.

Panoramic views show broad anatomy but have distortion and unequal resolution. Check the whole film systematically.

Identify normal landmarks, anatomical variants and artefacts before labelling pathology. Compare with clinical findings.

Use a structured report: quality, relevant normal anatomy, abnormalities, differential and action. Record who reviewed the image.

Reserve CBCT for a justified question where 3D information changes management; choose the smallest suitable field of view and assess the full volume.

For complex lesions and surgery, CT, MRI and ultrasound answer different questions about bone, soft tissue and vascular or nodal structures.