DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
Lesson title: Uses of X-rays in Dentistry Materials:
Lesson Objectives: SAS, pen/pencil & eraser,
At the end of this module, you will be able to: highlighter
1. Understand how we harness and utilize radiation (x-rays) in
the field of dentistry. References:
2. Know how x-rays affect dental practices and procedures. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/healt
h/articles/11199-dental-x-rays
3.
Productivity Tip:
Try the “Pomodoro Technique”! Set your timer to 25 minutes and work on the module during this time period.
After this period, take a 5-minute break and then continue working on the module again. Remember to
prepare yourself as well. Be sure you had your meal and you are comfortable with your environment. This
will help you focus. Let’s start!
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction
Good day, everyone! You already know the history of x-rays from the previous activity sheet.
Now we get to learn about how the x-rays are being used in the world of dentistry. As future dentists,
you should be aware on how important radiographs are in the dental practice and why we take them.
Dentists make radiographic images of patients when they seek additional information beyond
that available from a clinical examination or their patient's history. Dentists combine the information
from these images with their findings from the clinical examination and history to form a diagnosis.
When a diagnosis is established, treatment can be provided.
2) Activity 1: What I Know Chart, part 1
• Instructions: Kindly write in the first column what you know based on the question given in the
second column. Leave the third column blank this time.
What I Know Questions: What I Learned (Activity 4)
1. What would be the color of
dense objects, such as teeth &
bone in x-rays?
2. How would the soft tissues, such
as cheeks & gums would look like
in x-rays?
This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION
DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 2: Content Notes
§ Instructions: Read carefully. Highlight key points and don’t forget to set your timer!
Dental X-rays can spot trouble early on in your
mouth, teeth, gums and jaw. Treating problems before they
get serious can save money, pain and sometimes even
your life.
X-rays show dental providers a lot. It helps them
see the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw placement and
facial bone composition. They also help them find and treat
dental problems early in their development.
X-rays are a form of energy that can travel through
or be absorbed by solid objects. This energy is absorbed
by dense objects, such as teeth and bones, and show up Fig.3-1. X-rays can help find problems that cannot be
in X-rays as light-colored areas (radiopaque). X-rays pass seen with an oral exam.
through less dense objects, such as gums and cheeks, and
appear as dark areas (radiolucent) on X-ray film.
X-rays can help find problems that cannot be seen with an oral exam (Fig. 3-1). Finding and
treating problems early in their development may save you money, avoid discomfort (if these problems
are treated at a later time) and possibly even save your life.
What types of problems do X-rays help detect?
X-rays help your dentist diagnose problems in your teeth and jaws.
In adults, X-rays show:
§ Decay, especially small areas of decay between teeth (Fig.
3.2)
§ Decay beneath existing fillings.
§ Bone loss in the jaw. (Fig. 3.3)
§ Changes in the bone or root canal due to infection.
§ Condition and position of teeth to help prepare for tooth
implants, braces, dentures or other dental procedures (Fig
3.4).
§ Abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or between the
gum and a tooth). Fig. 3-2: Decay between teeth known
§ Cysts and some types of tumors. as proximal cavity.
§ Impacted teeth
In children, X-rays determine:
§ If decay is developing.
§ If there is enough space in the mouth to fit all incoming teeth.
§ If teeth are impacted (unable to emerge through the gums).
This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION
DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
Fig. 3.4. Impacted canine. May have to be
treated with orthodontics in junction with Fig. 3.3: Bone loss.
surgery.
Fig. 3.5: Panoramic x-ray
of a 6 year old child.
How often should teeth be X-rayed?
How often X-rays need to be taken depends on your medical and dental history and current
condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. Others who don’t have recent
dental or gum disease and who have ongoing scheduled visits with their dentist may only need X-rays
every couple of years. New patients may have X-rays taken at their first exam. First-visit X-rays are
also used to compare with X-rays taken over time to look for problems and unexpected changes. X-
rays may need to be taken more often in people at high risk for dental problems. These people include:
§ Children: Children generally need more X-rays than adults because their teeth and jaws are still
developing and because their teeth are more likely to be affected by tooth decay than adults.
§ Adults with a lot of restorative work: To look for decay beneath existing fillings or in new
locations.
§ People who drink a lot of sugary beverages: To look for tooth decay.
§ People with periodontal (gum) disease: To monitor bone loss.
This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION
DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
§ People who have dry mouth: Whether due to medications (such as antidepressants, antianxiety
drugs, antihistamines and others) or health conditions (such as Sjogren’s syndrome, damaged
salivary glands, radiation treatment to head and neck). Dry mouth conditions cause decay.
§ Smokers: To monitor bone loss that results from gum disease (smokers are at increased risk of
gum disease).
2) Activity 3: Skill-building Activities
§ Instructions: Answer the following questions briefly. Fill up the table that follows. Check your
answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this SAS.
Write your score here:______
1. Why do we take x-rays/radiographs?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
2. How often should teeth be x-rayed?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do adults with a lot of restorative work may need x-rays taken more often?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
4. Why do children may need x-rays taken more often?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. How will bone, teeth and soft tissues show in the radiograph?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
§ What will the x-rays show/determine in:
Children Adults
This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION
DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
3) Activity 4: What I Know Chart, part 2
§ Instructions: Please go back to the “What I know Chart” (Activity 1) and answer the third
column, which asks “What I Learned”.
4) Activity 5: Check for Understanding
§ Instructions: Please answer the following quiz as honestly as you can. Encircle the letter.
Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this SAS.
Write your score here: __________
1. Why do we take x-rays often when the patient has a dry mouth?
a. Dry mouth will lead to mobile teeth b. To monitor bone loss
c. Dry mouth causes tooth decay d. To monitor tooth development
2. Teeth & bones will show up in x-rays as:
a. Radiopaque b. Radiolucent c. Translucent d. None of the above
3. Healthy pulp tissues will show up in x-rays as:
a. Radiopaque b. Slightly radiopaque c. Glowing d. None of the above
4. We take radiographs more often when the patient is a smoker because:
a. They are more susceptible to cavities b. They are more susceptible to gum disease
c. All of the above d. None of the above
5. X-rays help detect the following, except:
a. Development of caries b. Bone loss c. Infection d. Dryness of the mouth
C. LESSON WRAP-UP
1) Activity 6: Thinking about Learning
A. Work Tracker
Another session done! Let’s track your progress. Shade the session number you just completed.
This is simply a visual to help you track how much work you have accomplished and how much work
there is left to do.
B. Think about your Learning
1. What felt confusing about what you learned today?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
2. What motivated you to finish the lesson?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Activity 3:
One check mark for every item. Answers may vary.
1. Why do we take x-rays/radiographs?
Dentists take radiographic images of patients when they seek additional information beyond that
This document is the property of PHINMA EDUCATION
DEN033 : Dental Roentgenology
Student Activity Sheet #3
Name: ____________________________________________________________ Class number: _______
Section: ____________ Schedule: _____________________________________ Date: _______________
available from a clinical examination or their patient's history. Dentists combine the information from
these images with their findings from the clinical examination and history to form a diagnosis. When a
diagnosis is established, treatment can be provided.
X-rays can spot trouble early on in your mouth, teeth, gums and jaw that cannot be seen through
clinical examination. Treating problems before they get serious can save money, pain and sometimes
even your life. X-rays help them see the condition of your teeth, roots, jaw placement and facial bone
composition. They also help them find and treat dental problems early in their development.
2. How often should teeth be x-rayed?
How often X-rays need to be taken depends on your medical and dental history and current
condition. Some people may need X-rays as often as every six months. Others who don’t have recent
dental or gum disease and who have ongoing scheduled visits with their dentist may only need X-rays
every couple of years. New patients may have X-rays taken at their first exam. X-rays may need to be
taken more often in people at high risk for dental problems.
3. Why do adults with a lot of restorative work may need x-rays taken more often?
To look for decay beneath existing fillings or in new locations.
4. Why do children may need x-rays taken more often?
Because their teeth and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be
affected by tooth decay than adults
5. How will bone, teeth and soft tissues show in the radiograph?
Bone, teeth and other dense objects show up in X-rays as radiopaque. X-rays pass through less
dense objects, such as gums and cheeks, and appear as radiolucent on X-ray film.
What will the x-rays show/determine in:
Children Adults
§ If decay is developing. • Decay, especially small areas of decay between
§ If there is enough space in the mouth to teeth
fit all incoming teeth. • Decay beneath existing fillings.
§ If teeth are impacted (unable to emerge • Bone loss in the jaw.
through the gums). • Changes in the bone or root canal due to infection.
• Condition and position of teeth to help prepare for
tooth implants, braces, dentures or other dental
procedures.
• Abscesses (an infection at the root of a tooth or
between the gum and a tooth).
• Cysts and some types of tumors
Activity 5:
One check mark for every item.
1. C 2. A 3. D 4. B 5. D
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