CHAPTER 41 - Modern Dental Assisting

Paralleling Technique

Intraoral technique of exposing periapical films in which the teeth and the film are parallel to each other.

Bisecting Technique

An intraoral technique of exposing periapical films in which the film and the teeth create an angle that is bisected by the beam.

Diagnostic Quality

Radiographs with the proper images and optimum density, contrast, definition, and detail.

Interproximal

The term that is used to describe a space between two adjacent surfaces.

Bitewing film

The type of film used during the interproximal examination.

Alveolar Bone

The bone that supports and encases the roots of the teeth.

Crestal Bone

The coronal portion of alveolar bone found between the teeth.

Contact area

An area of a tooth that touches an adjacent tooth in the same arch.

Open contacts

These appear on dental radiographs as thin radioculent lines between adjacent teeth in the same arch.

Parallel

An object that is moving or lying in the same plane and is always separated by the same distance.

Intersecting

To cut across or through.

Perpendicular

Interects at of forms a right angle.

Right Angle

A 90 degree angle formed by two lines perpendicular to each other.

Long Axis of the Tooth

An imaginary line that divides the tooth longitudinally into two equal halves.

Central Ray

The central portion of the primary beam of radiation.