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Patient Management
Ordering Films
Special Situations
Gagging
Some patients may have difficulty tolerating film
placement due to the gag reflex. Methods used to
reduce or control the gag reflex include:
• Proper patient management (anterior films first, etc.)
• Distractors: Tell the patient to raise the arm or leg,
count backwards from 100, etc.
• Have patient breathe rapidly through the nose
• Salt on tongue: place some salt in the patient’s hand
and have them lick the salt with the tip of the tongue
• Flavor films by dipping in mouthwash
• Topical anesthetic: spray topical anesthetic on both
sides of palate
Children
Because their mouths are small and because
they are naturally a little “fidgety”, children can
be a challenge to radiograph. In general, the more
you explain the procedure and enlist their help,
the more cooperative children will be. You need
to be firm but not threatening when working with
children. Take the minimum number of films
needed to make a diagnosis and use the
appropriate size film for the size of the mouth.
Bitewings, anterior occlusal films and panoramic
films are usually tolerated by children; periapical
films may require a little more effort. As
mentioned previously, be sure to compliment
children for a job well done.
Anatomical Variations
The following anatomical situations (to be
discussed on subsequent slides) may require
alteration of radiographic techniques:
• Third Molars
• Maxillary Canine
• Tori
• Space limitations
• Ankyloglossia (Tongue-tied)
Third Molars
Sometimes it is difficult to get the film far enough back to
cover the third molar region due to gagging or anatomy,
and all of the third molar will not be seen on the film (see
diagram bottom left). By rotating the tubehead so that the
beam is directed more anteriorly (diagram bottom right), the
third molar is projected onto the film, giving us the needed
information. Note, however,
the increase in overlap that
results. If you plan on
extracting the third molar,
or you can get by without
the sharper image seen
on an intraoral film, a
panoramic film would be
the preferred method of
imaging this area.
Maxillary Canine
Because of the prominent cusp tips on canines, it is
common for the film to tip when using the paralleling
technique. This may result in the failure to image the
apex of the canine. To avoid this, place a cotton roll
beneath the biteblock, against the mandibular teeth.
This will help to keep the film aligned with the canine.
Maxillary Canine - Bisecting 0
palatal torus
Mandibular Tori
Mandibular tori are bilateral bony growths found on
the lingual side of the mandible in the premolar
region. The film should be positioned between the
torus and the tongue, never resting on top of the
torus. Again, the radiopacity of a large torus may be
superimposed over the roots, but this is unavoidable.
mandibular torus
Space Limitations
A shallow palate or shallow floor of the mouth
will make it difficult to use the paralleling
technique. In general, the bisecting angle
technique, using finger retention, is preferred
for periapical films in patients with these
anatomical restrictions.
Ankyloglossia (Tongue-tied)
Trismus
Trismus (lockjaw) is caused by a prolonged spasm of
the jaw muscles due to infection, TMJ problems, etc..
Patients with trismus cannot open the mouth very
much and normal intraoral techniques are difficult.
Methods of imaging patients with trismus are:
Ordering Films
• Dental History
• Clinical exam
• Professional judgment
• Selection criteria
Ordering Films 0
Clinical Findings
• Large caries/restorations
• Periodontal disease/mobility/bleeding
• Evidence of trauma/swelling/fistula
• Potential abutment teeth
• Unusual tooth appearance/position
• Third molars partially or totally unerupted
• Facial asymmetry
Film order: 2 BW, 1 PA, Pan. With only one premolar and
two molars in each quadrant, only one bitewing per side
is needed. The large restoration on # 30 requires a
periapical. A pan is needed for the third molars.
Using the selection criteria, what films would be0
indicated for this patient?
Symptomatic teeth: # 8
Fractured teeth: # 8
Large caries: None
Small restoration Large restorations: None
Fracture Missing teeth: #’s 1, 16, 20, 32
(patient says # 17 has
not been removed)
Gingiva: Healthy
Other historical findings: None