Endodontic Diagnosis and Radiology Flashcards
7 cards from real ABE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Endodontic Diagnosis and Radiology flashcards as text
A tooth is symptomatic to biting and has a sinus tract. The pulp tests non-vital. Probing depths are within normal limits. Which AAE periapical diagnosis applies?
Answer: Chronic apical abscess
A chronic apical abscess is characterized by pulp necrosis, a sinus tract for drainage, and often mild or no pain despite ongoing infection.
On a periapical radiograph, the lamina dura appears as:
Answer: A thin radiopaque line outlining the root socket
The lamina dura is the cortical bone lining the alveolar socket and appears as a thin, continuous radiopaque line on radiographs.
A patient presents with pain reproduced only when biting on a specific cusp. Cold test produces sharp but non-lingering pain. What is the MOST likely diagnosis?
Answer: Cracked tooth with symptomatic reversible pulpitis
Pain elicited by biting on a specific cusp combined with a normal (non-lingering) cold response suggests a cracked tooth with reversible pulpal inflammation.
What is the RECOMMENDED effective dose limit for a full-mouth series of periapical radiographs using digital sensors compared to conventional film?
Answer: Digital sensors reduce dose by approximately 50–80% compared to F-speed film
Digital sensors (particularly CCD/CMOS) require 50–80% less radiation exposure than conventional film to produce diagnostic images.
Which of the following BEST describes the pulpal diagnosis of 'previously treated'?
Answer: Root canal space has been obturated regardless of symptoms
A 'previously treated' tooth is one whose root canal space has been obturated, distinguishing it from 'previously initiated therapy' where treatment remains incomplete.
A radiolucent lesion at the apex of a non-vital tooth shows well-defined corticated borders on CBCT. Which diagnosis is MOST consistent with this finding?
Answer: Periapical cyst or well-established granuloma
Well-corticated borders on CBCT indicate a chronic, established lesion such as a periapical cyst or mature granuloma with defined margins.
Which factor MOST significantly increases effective radiation dose when using CBCT compared to conventional periapical radiography?
Answer: Larger field of view and volumetric acquisition
CBCT delivers a larger volume scan involving multiple rotational projections, resulting in substantially higher effective doses than a single periapical film.