Review: Occlusal and Localization Technique

Author: Boban Fidanoski


  1. What is the occlusal technique used for?
    The occlusal technique is used to examine large areas of the maxilla or mandible.

  2. Which size film is used for the occlusal technique?
    For adult: film No.4, for children: film No.2

  3. List five purposes for using the occlusal technique?
    1. To locate retained root of extracted teeth
    2. To locate supernumerary, unerupted teeth or impacted teeth
    3. To locate foreign objects in maxilla or mandible
    4. To locate salivary stones in submandibular salivary duct
    5. To locate and evaluate the extent of lesions, like cysts, tumors or malignancies

  4. List three principles for using the occlusal technique?
    1. The film is positioned with the white side facing the arch that is being exposed
    2. The film is being placed in the mouth between the occlusal surfaces of the maxillary and mandibular teeth.
    3. The film is stabilized when the patient gently bites on the surface of the film

  5. Describe the patient’s head position for occlusal radiography of maxillary anatomy?
    The patients head must be positioned so that maxillary arch is parallel with the floor and the midsagittal plane is perpendicular to the floor

  6. Describe the patient’s head position for occlusal radiography of mandibular anatomy?
    The patient’s head must be reclined and positioned so that the occlusal plane is perpendicular to the floor.

  7. What is the standard amount of tube angle required for the maxillary topographic occlusal projection?
    +
    65 degrees of vertical angulation

  8. What is the name used to describe a method to locate the position of a tooth in the jaws?
    Localization technique.

  9. List three examples where the localization technique may be used?
    1. To locate foreign bodies
    2. To locate impacted teeth
    3. To locate retained roots
  10. What are the two basic techniques used to localize objects?
    1. The buccal object rule
    2. The right angle technique

  11. Which angulation is changed when attempting to locate vertically aligned objects, such as root canals?
    Horizontal angulation.

  12. How can you determine if an object is lingual or buccal relative to superimposed teeth?
    If on second radiograph object has moved in the direction opposite the shift of the PID, then the object is buccal to the superimposed teeth. If the object has moved in the same direction as the shift of PID, then the object is lingual to the teeth.

  13. What does acronym SLOB stand for?
    SLOB: same=lingual, opposite=buccal

 

 

author: Boban Fidanoski

© February, 2007 Copyright - Text
by B.Fidanoski- Port Credit, ON - Canada