Chapter 16

Dental radiographic examinations may involve either intraoral projections (placed inside the
mouth) or extraoral projections (placed outside the mouth).
The intraoral radiographic examination is a radiographic inspection of teeth and intraoral
structures. The three common types of intraoral examinations are periapical, interproximal, and
occlusal examinations.
Periapical examination is used to inspect the crowns and roots of teeth as well as the
supporting bone. Periapical receptors are used in periapical examination. Either the paralleling
technique or the bisecting technique can be used to expose periapical receptors.
Interproximal examination is used to examine the crowns of maxillary as well as mandibular
teeth on a single image. The bite-wing receptor and the bite-wing technique are used in
interproximal examination.
Occlusal examination is used to examine large areas of the maxilla or mandible on one image.
Occlusal receptors and the occlusal technique are used.
The complete mouth radiographic series (CMRS), or fullmouth series (FMS or FMX), is an
intraoral series of dental radiographs that shows all the tooth-bearing areas of the maxilla and
the mandible and consists of 14 to 20 images (periapical radiographs alone or combination of
periapical and bite-wing radiographs), depending on radiographic technique and number of
teeth present.
An intraoral radiograph is considered diagnostic if it shows images with optimal density,
contrast, definition and detail, and minimal distortion. In addition, a diagnostic periapical
radiograph shows the entire crowns and roots of the teeth being examined, and a diagnostic
bitewing radiograph should show open contacts.
The extraoral radiographic examination is a radiographic inspection of large areas of the skull or
jaws.

The prescription of dental radiographs is based on the individual needs of the patient. Every
patients dental condition is different, and therefore every patient must be evaluated for
dental radiographs on an individual basis.