Lateral radiographic technique: an alternative approach for anterior teeth.

Carlos Vieira Andrade, Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal Silva, Juliana Melo Da Silva, Caio Cesar Randi Ferraz

Professor, Department of Endodontics, UESB, Brazil.

The journal of contemporary dental practice 2013 Jan-Feb

filter terms:

To describe the lateral radiographic technique, its use and indication. The clinician's difficulty in performing the correct diagnosis for some endodontic situations sometimes leads to a compromised treatment of some teeth. Considering this, an alternative radiographic technique for anterior teeth (lateral radiographic technique - LRT) may be used to help endodontic diagnosis. This technique use a periapical radiographic film or sensor that is placed vertically in the anterior portion of maxilla or mandible and with the beam passing perpendicular to the radiographic film its possible to evaluate the possibility of a fenestration on the buccal cortical bone plate; differentiate overextension and overfilling; indentify root fractures; confirm the presence and location of an instrument in the root canal system; and assess the treatment of root perforations. LRT is an easy and cheap technique that can be used to help in anterior teeth diagnosis. Considering that LRT is easy to perform and available at low cost, it could be utilized more by clinicians in the dental office in order to quickly assist in diagnosis. As a complimentary radiographic examination for anterior teeth, it could become a useful supplement to aid the clinical practice.

Citation

Carlos Vieira Andrade, Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal Silva, Juliana Melo Da Silva, Caio Cesar Randi Ferraz. Lateral radiographic technique: an alternative approach for anterior teeth. The journal of contemporary dental practice. 2013 Jan-Feb;14(1):43-6