Maxilla bone

Hamulus

Hamulus

Hamulus

Maxillary tuberosity

Maxillary tuberosity

Maxillary tuberosity

Maxillary sinus/floor of the sinus

Maxillary sinus/floor of the sinus

Maxillary sinus/floor of the sinus

Maxillary sinus

Septum of maxillary sinus

Septum of maxillary sinus

The tendency for the maxillary sinus to pneumatize and form multiple lobes may give rise to the appearance of
radiopaque lines extending from the floor of the sinus into the radiolucent interior. These white lines represent
cortical extensions of the wall of the sinus and represent the wall of a smaller compartment within the sinus.
Because these walls subdivide the sinus they are termed sinus septa or septum (singular).

Zygomatic bone

Zygomatic process of
Maxilla b.

Maxilla bone
Zygomatic process of
maxilla
Zygomatic bone
Zygomatic arch

Zygomatic process of
temporal b.
Temporal bone

Zygomatic process of Maxilla b.

Zygomatic process of Maxilla b.

White arrows denote the zygomatic process (generally over the first
molar)
Black arrows delineate the lower border of the zygomatic arch

Zygomatic arch

Zygomatic arch

Nasal fossa

Nasal fossa

Nasal fossa

Nasal fossa

Anterior nasal spine

Anterior nasal spine

Anterior nasal spine

Median palatal suture

Median palatal suture

Median palatal suture

The mid-palatine suture appears in this central incisor periapical projection as a dark, or
radiolucent, line at the midline (white arrows). You can also see the more radiopaque inverted
triangle at the top of the image that represents the anterior nasal spine.

Median palatal suture

Incisive nerve foramen

Incisive nerve foramen

The incisive foramen is the opening in the midline of the palate just posterior to the central
incisors.

Incisive foramen

1 - Incisive Foramen
2 - Nasal septum

Shadow of the nose

Shadow of the nose

Shadow of the nose

Lip line

Lip line

Lip line

Mandible

Coronoid process

Coronoid process

This is the thin triangular prominence off the upper part of the mandible

Coronoid process

Black arrows delineate margin of coronoid process

Coronoid process

Inferior alveolar canal

Inferior alveolar canal

The mandibular canal extends from the mandibular foramen, on the lingual aspect of the ramus,
through the body of the mandible under the roots of the molar teeth.

Inferior alveolar canal

Inferior alveolar canal

The inferior alveolar canal or mandibular canal runs from the lingular area of the mandible to the
mental foramen and radiographically. is outlined by thin opaque edges to the canal. Its contents
are the inferior alveolar nerve, artery and vein.

External oblique ridge

External oblique ridge

The external oblique ridge is a ridge of bone located along the facial of the mandible, which
extends from the superior aspect of the posterior body of the mandible down to the necks of the
molar teeth. It runs in the same direction as the internal oblique ridge, but is located on the facial,
or external surface of the mandible
To distinguish radiographically between the internal and external oblique ridges, note that the
external ridge is always superior to the internal oblique ridge

Submandibular fossa

Submandibular fossa

Directly below the internal oblique ridge is a depression in the lingual aspect of the mandible
called the submandibular fossa. This concavity is visible radiographically since the thickness of
bone is substantially reduced in this area. The submandibular fossa is the location of the
submandibular salivary gland,

Submandibular fossa

Genial tubercles

Genial tubercles

The genial tubercles are small bony spines found on the lingual aspect of the mandible adjacent
to the midline at the attachment of the geniohyoid and genioglossus muscles.

Genial tubercles

Mental ridge

Mental ridge

The mental ridges are elevated ridges of bone located along the anterior aspect of the mandible

Mental ridge

Mental ridge

Tooth and surrounding area

Lamina dura

Lamina dura

Dentin

Dentin

Enamel

Enamel

Pulp space

Pulp space

Periodontal ligament space

Periodontal ligament space

Primary tooth

Other Anatomical Findings

Boney trabeculation

Notice the whitish junk down there, chicken wire, that is trabeculation, the bony structure of most
areas.

Nutrient canals

Nutrient canals

Nutrient canals

Radiographically, nutrient canals appear as uniform thin radiolucent lines. The margin of these
lines is often slightly more radiopaque than the adjacent bone. Sometimes these canals can be
seen running toward the apices of teeth as accessory branches of the inferior alveolar canal.
Slightly dark line going up and down between teeth, nutrient canals, show up in lower anterior,
also found in walls of sinuses.

Chin soft tissue

Chin soft tissue

Chin soft tissue

White arrows delineate border of soft tissues of the chin "shelf"

Basic Pathology

Mandibular tori

Mandibular tori

The rounded protuberances on the lingual surfaces of the alveolar process are called mandibular
tori, or singularly, a mandibular torus. This fairly common feature is a hard, bony enlargement of
the alveolar cortex.

Mandibular tori

Mandibular tori

Occlusal caries

Anterior carries

Posterior carries

Caries

Attrition

Attrition

Cervical Abrasion

Cervical Abrasion

Periapical radiolucency

Pulp stone

Sperical calcification within the dental pulp lying free or attached to the
pulpal surface of the tooth.

Osteosclerosis/sclerotic bone

Here an irregular radiopacity extends from the crest to the inferior alveolar canal between the molars.
Two small areas of radiolucency are in it, one just below the crestal cortex.

Sclerosed Socket

Residual socket has a sclerotic or radiopaque appearance

relative to surrounding marrow.

Impacted teeth

Retained root tip

Foreign Objects

Surgical hardware
Retention pin

Post and core

Jewelry

Calculus

Restorations

Amalgam

Completely radiopaque

Porcelain

Appears slightly radiopaque with a thin out line of the tooth

preparaton due to the cement securing restoration

Base/liner

Some base and pulp capping materials contain

Barium Sulfate or similar radiopaque materials

Endodontic treatment

Gutta percha

Composite
Tend to be radiolucent and simulate caries

Stainless Steel Crown

Less radiopaque than gold, contour and shape usually does not follow tooth
anatomy since it is usually a temporary restoration

PFM Crown

The metal portion appears as a totally radiopaque center

and the porcelain appears slightly radiopaque around the
occlusal, incisal, and sometimes visible on cervical areas

Gold Crown

Radiopaque approximately same density as amalgum, totally

opaque, usually follows contour of teeth and smooth
borders

Film orientation dot

If it bumps up, you are looking at correct orientation, but as a dimple, you
are looking at backside of the film. Thats how you determine if you are
looking at front or back of film, and to know if you are looking at right or left
side of the mouth.

Overlapping contacts

Bend in film

Black linear lines or artifacts or black crescent-shaped creases would be

seen on the processed radiograph. These black artifacts occur because
there is a break in the emulsion before the film is processed.

Cone cut

In a partial image part of the film is clear. This is due to exposure error.

Static electricity

Static electricity presents as tree-like marks.

Credits
http://www.unc.edu/~jbl/norm-anat-start
.html
http://www.dent.ucla.edu/sod/depts/ora
l_rad/courses/DS451c/topic2/
http://tunxis.commnet.edu/common/facul
ty/turcotte/radio_restorations.pdf