Normal Radiographic Dental Anatomy

Fig. 1-1A — Nasal fossae

(nasal cavities)B — Median

palatine suture (intermaxillary suture)C — Incisive

foramen (anterior palatine foramen)

D — Root canalE — DentinF — Enamel

Fig. 1-2C — Median

palatine suture (intermaxillarysuture). Radiolucent line

D — Overlapping of teeth

Fig. 1-3A — Soft tissue of

noseB — Upper lip line

(border of a heavy upper lip)

C — Lamina dura(radiopaque line) and periodontal ligament space (radiolucent line) surrounding the tooth root

Fig. 1-4A — Incisive

foramen (anterior palatine foramen)

B — Nasal fossae(nasal cavities)

C — Nasal septum

Fig. 1-5A — Incisive

foramen B — Incisive canal

(nasopalatinecanal, anterior palatine canal)

C — Nasal fossa(nasal cavity)

D — Nasal septum covered on each side by nasal mucosa

1 — Walls of the incisive canal

2 — Inferior nasal meatus

Fig. 1-6A — Incisive

canal (nasopalatinecanal)

B — Lateral fossa (thin bone)

C — Walls of the incisive canal

D — Metal x-ray instrument

Fig. 1-7A — Anterior

nasal spineB — Anterior

borders (floor) of nasal fossae

C — Nasal septumD — Nasal fossae

Fig. 1-8A — Median

palatine sutureB — Pulp chamberC — Root canal

Fig. 1-9A — Tip of nose

(cartilaginous)B — Upper lip

Fig. 1-10A — Soft tissue of nose (arrows)B — Lateral fossa (due to thinness of bone)

Fig. 1-11A — Palatal torus

(torus palatinus)B — X-ray

instrument

Fig. 1-12A — Inferior nasal

conchae (turbinate bones)

B — Common nasal meatus

C — Inferior nasal meatusD — Anterior border (floor)

of nasal fossaE — Nasal septumF — Trabeculae in the

maxillary bone. Compare this trabecularpattern with that in the mandibular bone

Fig. 1-13 Radiographs mounted with film bumps facing the reader

A — Incisive canalB — Patient's right inferior

nasal conchaC — Patient's left inferior

nasal conchaD — Patient's right common

nasal meatusE — Patient's left common

nasal meatusF — Nasal septumG — Patient's left maxillary

sinus

Fig. 1-14Edentulous maxilla ---

midline regionA — Walls of the

incisive canalB — Incisive canal (nasopalatine canal)

Fig. 1-15A — Soft tissue

(gingiva)B — Wall of the nasopalatine canal

Fig. 1-16A — Nasal septumB — Patient's left nasal fossa (containing inferior nasal concha)C — Maxillary sinus (of patient's left side when film bump faces the reader)D — Anterior nasal spineE — Anterior wall of the maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-17A — Superior foramina of

the incisive canalB — Nasal septumC — Incisive canal

connecting the incisive foramen to the superior foramina of the incisive canal

D — Nasal fossa (of patient's left side when film bump faces the reader)

Fig. 1-18A — Superior foramina of

the incisive canalB — Nasal septum (bony)

covered on each side by nasal mucosa

C — Inferior nasal concha(of patient's right side when film bump faces the reader)

D — Inferior nasal concha(of patient's left side when film bump faces the reader)

E — Cartilaginous septum of nose

Fig. 1-19A — Nasal septum (bony)B — Cartilaginous septum of noseC — Inferior nasal conchaeD — Common nasal meatusE — Anterior nasal spine

Fig. 1-20Arrows --- External naris of

the patient's left side (plural-nares)

A — Inferior nasal concha(of patient's right side when film bump faces the reader)

B — Inferior nasal concha(of patient's left side when film bump faces the reader)

C — Nasal septum (bony) The three arrows directly below "C" are superimposed on the cartilaginous nasal septum. The other three arrows on the side are superimposed on the left ala of the nose

Fig. 1-21A — Bony nasal septumB — Cartilaginous nasal septum

Fig. 1-22Arrows --- Lateral fossa(radiolucent image produced by the thinness of bone)The lateral fossa could be misdiagnosed as an apical lesion and should therefore be compared with the contralateralside. Also, pulp vitality test should be performed

Fig. 1-23Arrows --- Lateral fossa(radiolucent image produced by the thinness of bone)The lateral fossa could be misdiagnosed as an apical lesionL — Patient's right nasal fossa (when film bump faces the reader)

Fig. 1-24A — Dental papillae of unerupted permanent central and lateral incisorsB — Unerupted permanent central incisor (mandibular)C — Unerupted permanent lateral incisorD — Unerupted permanent canineE — Right deciduous second molarF — Right deciduous first molarG — Left deciduous central incisorH — Left deciduous lateral incisorI — Left deciduous canine

Fig. 1-25L — Anterior wall of maxillary sinusM — Anterior border (floor) of nasal fossa

Fig. 1-26L — Anterior wall of maxillary sinusM — Anterior border (floor) of nasal fossa

Fig. 1-27L — Maxillary sinus (antrum)M — Anterior border (floor) of nasal fossaN — Nutrient canal leading to a nutrient foramen

Fig. 1-28L — Inferior nasal concha (turbinate)M — Inferior nasal meatusN — Maxillary sinus (of patient's left side when film bump faces the reader)O — Ala of nose (soft tissue)P — Slight cone cut (technique error)

Fig. 1-29L — Septum in maxillary sinusM — Anterior wall of right maxillary sinusN — Anterior border (floor) of nasal fossaO — Patient's right nasal fossa

Fig. 1-30L — Septum in maxillary sinusM — Floor of maxillary sinusN — Maxillary sinus (antrum)O — Uneruptedthird molarP — X-ray dental instrument (metal rod)

Fig. 1-31L — Maxillary sinus (antrum)M — Septum in maxillary sinusN — Floor of maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-32Arrows --- Floor of nasal fossa (junction of the lateral wall and floor of nasal fossa)L — Anterior wall of maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-33Arrows --- NasolabialfoldA — GingivaB — CheekThe radiograph is of the patient's right side when the film bump faces the reader

Fig. 1-34Arrows --- Nasolabial foldL — Floor of maxillary sinusM — Plastic x-ray instrument (Snap-A-Ray®)N — CheekThe radiograph is of the patient's left side when the film bump faces the reader

Fig. 1-35L — Torus palatinus

Fig. 1-36L — Anterior wall of maxillary sinusM — Floor of the maxillary sinusN — Maxillary sinus (antrum)Notice that the roots of the molars project into the sinus

Fig. 1-37Small arrows ---Maxillary tuberosityL — Zygomaticprocess of maxilla (U-shaped)M — Floor of maxillary sinusN — Dental instrument (hemostat) superimposed on the crowns of teeth

Fig. 1-38L — Maxillary sinusArrows --- Floor of maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-39L — CoronoidprocessM — GingivaN — X-ray dental instrument (plastic)

Fig. 1-40L — Nutrient

foramen

Fig. 1-41L — HamularprocessM — Maxillary tuberosityN — CoronoidprocessO — Zygomaticprocess of the maxilla (U-shaped)

Fig. 1-42L — ZygomaticarchM — CoronoidprocessN — Gingiva

Fig. 1-43L — Floor of the nasal cavityM — ZygomaticarchN — Coronoidprocess

Fig. 1-44L — PterygoidplatesM — CoronoidprocessN — Zygomaticprocess of the maxilla (U-shaped)

Fig. 1-45L — Zygomatic

archM — Pterygoid

platesN — Coronoid

process

Fig. 1-46Bite-wing radiographL — Hamular

processM — Mandibular

canal

Fig. 1-47Arrows --- Vascular canal (or groove) in the wall of maxillary sinus Canal (or groove) for the posterior superior alveolar artery

Fig. 1-48L — Torus

palatinus

Fig. 1-49The radiograph is of the patient's right side when film bump faces the readerL — Zygoma (malar

bone)M — Zygomatic

process of maxilla (U-shaped)

N — Coronoidprocess

O — X-ray dental instrument (plastic)

P — Alveolar ridgeX — Maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-50The radiograph is of the patient's left side when film bump faces the readerL — Maxillary sinus (antrum)M — Thickened mucosal lining of sinusN — X-ray dental instrument (metal rod)O and surrounded by four arrows — Coronoidprocess

Fig. 1-51The radiograph is of the patient's left side when film bump faces the readerL — Zygomaticprocess of the maxilla (U-shaped)M — Floor of the nasal fossa (junction of lateral wall and floor of nasal fossa)N — Lower border of the zygomaO — Septum in maxillary sinusP — Floor of maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-52The radiograph is of the patient's right side when film bump faces the readerL — Maxillary

tuberosityM — Lower border

of zygomaN — Floor of nasal

cavityO — Floor of

maxillary sinusP — Zygoma

(malar bone)

Fig. 1-53The radiograph is of the patient's right side when film bump faces the readerSmall arrows --- lower border of zygomaL — Septa in

maxillary sinusM — Zygomatic

process of maxilla (U-shaped)

N — Floor of maxillary sinus (near the alveolar ridge surface)

Fig. 1-54The radiograph is of the patient's left side when film bump faces the readerSmall arrows --- Vascular canal (or groove) in wall of maxillary sinus. Canal (or groove) for the posterior superior alveolar arteryL — Anterior wall of maxillary sinusM — Zygomaticprocess of maxillaN — Septum in maxillary sinusO — Floor of maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-55The radiograph is of the patient's left side when film bump faces the readerSmall arrows --- lower border of zygomaL — Floor of nasal fossaM — Zygomaticprocess of the maxilla (U-shaped)N — Maxillary sinus

Fig. 1-56E — Nutrient

canals

Fig. 1-57E — Nutrient

foramenF - Nutrient

canal

Fig. 1-58E — Genial tubercles

(circular radiopacity) surrounding lingual foramen (radiolucent dot)

Fig. 1-59E — Genial

tubercles (circular radiopacity) surrounding lingual foramen (radiolucent dot)

Fig. 1-60E — Mental ridgeF — Lower border

of mandibleG — Genial

tubercles appear to arise from the lower border of the mandible because of excessive negative angulationof the x-ray beam

Fig. 1-61E — Mental ridgeF — Lower

border of mandibleG — Genial

Tubercles

Fig. 1-62E — Genial tubercles (as seen on an occlusal film)

Fig. 1-63E — Mental fossa(depression in bone)The mental fossacould be misdiagnosed as an apical lesion

Fig. 1-64E — Mental fossa(depression in bone)The mental fossacould be misdiagnosed as an apical lesion

Fig. 1-65E — Lower lip lineF — Mental ridgeG — Lower border (cortical plate) of the mandible

Fig. 1-66E — Mental ridgesF — Lower border of

mandible

Fig. 1-67E — Mandibular tori

Fig. 1-68E — Mandibular tori

Fig. 1-69AD — Plastic x-ray film

holder (Snap-A-Ray®)E — Deciduous first

molarF — Deciduous second

molarG — First premolarH — Permanent central

incisorI — Deciduous canineJ — Permanent lateral

incisorK — Permanent canine

Fig. 1-69BBite-wing radiograph of patient's right

sideA — Unerupted maxillary second

permanent molarB — Maxillary first permanent molarC — Unerupted maxillary second

premolarD — Unerupted maxillary first

premolarE — Maxillary second deciduous

molarF — Maxillary first deciduous molarG — Mandibular first deciduous molarH — Unerupted mandibular first

premolarI — Mandibular second deciduous

molarJ — Unerupted mandibular second

premolarK — Supernumerary tooth (unerupted)L — Mandibular permanent first molarM — Unerupted mandibular

permanent second molar

Fig. 1-70Mental foramen

Fig. 1-71Mental foramen

Fig. 1-72Mental foramen. May be mistaken as an apical lesion

Fig. 1-73AMental foramen image superimposed on the apex of the first premolar because of over-angulation of the x-ray beam

Fig. 1-73BMental foramen. Correct x-ray beam angulation is used. The foramen is no longer superimposed on the root apex. This change in position of the radiolucency with changes in x-ray beam angulation differentiates an anatomy from an apical lesion.

Fig. 1-74A — NasolabialfoldB — GingivaC — CheekThe radiograph is of the patient's right side when film bump faces the reader

Fig. 1-75A — Mandibular

canalB — Mental foramenC — Inferior border

of mandible (cortical bone)

The radiograph is of the patient's left side when film bump faces the reader

Fig. 1-76A — External

oblique ridgeB — Internal

oblique ridge (the anterior extension is the mylohyoidridge)

C — Inferior cortical border of mandible

D — Submandibular(gland) fossa

Fig. 1-77A — External oblique

ridgeB — Internal oblique

ridge (the anterior extension is the mylohyoid ridge)

C — Inferior cortical border of mandible

D — Submandibular(gland) fossa

Fig. 1-78A — External

oblique ridge (External oblique line)

B — Internal oblique ridge (Internal oblique line)

C — Inferior cortical border of mandible

D — Submandibularfossa

Fig. 1-79Mandibular canal (Inferior alveolar canal) near apices of third molar

Fig. 1-80Mandibular canal (inferior alveolar canal)

Fig. 1-81Surface of tongue

Fig. 1-82X — Submandibularfossa

Fig. 1-83Calcification around nutrient canal leading to the apical foramen of the mesial root of the first molar

Fig. 1-84Nutrient canal leading to the apical foramen of the root of the first premolar. Presence of calcification around nutrient canal

Fig. 1-85Dental papillae (Developing roots)

Fig. 1-86Dental papillae. The incomplete root apices persist for 1 to 2 years after the teeth have erupted

Fig. 1-87E — Calcification of cusps in the tooth follicle of the second permanent molarF — Tooth follicle of the second premolar between the roots of the deciduous second molar

Fig. 1-88Follicular space around the crown of the unerupted third molar

Fig. 1-89Large mandibulartorus

Fig. 1-90Mandibular tori(exostoses)

Fig. 1-91 Sparse trabeculae(wide intertrabecularspaces)

Fig. 1-92Large marrow space (wide intertrabecularspace)Also known as focal osteoporotic bone marrow defect because normal bone fails to be deposited at the extraction site. Instead, normal red or yellow bone marrow fills the area

Fig. 1-93Large marrow space (wide intertrabecularspace)

Fig. 1-94A — Retained

deciduous second molar. Absence of second premolar

B — Mental foramen

Fig. 1-95Composite restorations which are radiolucent may resemble caries. The well-demarcated borders differentiate them from caries

Fig. 1-96Composite restorations which are intentionally made opaque by manufacturers to differentiate them from caries

Fig. 1-97Composite restorations (radiolucent) which are placed on the facial or lingual surfaces of the incisor teeth. May be misdiagnosed as caries.

Fig. 1-98A — Gutta-perchaB — Metal coping

(porcelain fused to metal)C — Composite

restorations (radiolucent)D — Radiopaque liner

(radiopaque calcium hydroxide) placed under composite restorations

(Commercial forms of calcium hydroxide are radiopaquewhereas pure calcium hydroxide is radiolucent)

Fig. 1-99E — Silver amalgam restorationsF — Calcium hydroxide lining (radiolucent) underneath amalgam and zinc phosphate base. The commercial forms of calcium hydroxide (example, Dycal®, Life®, etc.) are radiopaque

Fig. 1-100N — Metal abutments of

bridge (bridge copings)

O — Gold ponticP — Porcelain facing of

pontic

Fig. 1-101M — Zinc

phosphate cementN — Acrylic jacket

crown (extremely radiolucent)

O — Gold post and core

P — Gutta-percha in root canal

Fig. 1-102Porcelain jacket crown. Unlike acrylic which is extremely radiolucent, porcelain casts a faint radiopaque image

Fig. 1-103R — Gold post

and coreS — Composite

restorationT — Metal rod of

x-ray instrument

Fig. 1-104M — Metal postN — Silver point

to fill root canalO — Metal copingP — Porcelain

crown fused to gold core

Fig. 1-105N — Retrograde

amalgam filling (silver amalgam at apex of tooth after apicoectomy was performed)

O — Gutta-percha in root canal

P — Composite restoration on lingual surface

Fig. 1-106M — Silver amalgam

restorationN — Gold crownO — Silver pointsP — Gutta-Percha

Fig. 1-107X — Prefabricated

aluminum crownY — Silver pointZ — Amalgam with

cement base

Fig. 1-108Orthodontic brackets and wire

Fig. 1-109Stainless steel band on crown of molar tooth

Fig. 1-110Stainless steel crown on first molar

Fig. 1-111All anterior teeth are bonded with resin. The bonding was done because the teeth were affected with amelogenesisimperfecta

Fig. 1-112Posterior composite and glass ionomer cement are radiopaque. Glass ionomer cement is used as a liner and a fluoride-releasing agent to prevent recurrent caries

A — Posterior compositeB — Glass ionomer linerC — Posterior composite

Fig. 1-113D — Posterior

compositeE — Posterior

compositeF — Glass

ionomer liner

Fig. 1-114G — Posterior

compositeH — Glass

ionomer linerI — Posterior

composite

Fig. 1-115C — Zinc phosphate

cement base (radiopaque) under a radiolucent restoration

S — Radiolucent restoration over a zinc phosphate cement base

Zinc phosphate and zinc oxide eugenol cements are both radiopaque. Pure calcium hydroxide cement is radiolucent but commercial forms of calcium hydroxide cement are radiopaque.