Occlusal Film An occlusal radiograph displays a relatively large segment of a dental arch.
FOR MAXILLARAY ARCH 1-ANTERIOR MAXILLARY OCCLUSAL PROJECTION 2-CROSS-SECTIONAL MAXILLARY OCCLUSAL PROJECTION 3-LATERAL MAXILLARY OCCLUSAL PROJECTION
FOR MANDIBULAR ARCH 1-ANTERIOR MANDIBULAR OCCLUSAL PROJECTION 2-CROSS-SECTIONAL MANDIBULAR OCCLUSAL PROJECTION 3-LATERAL MANDIBULAR OCCLUSAL PROJECTION
ANTERIOR MAXILLARY OCCLUSAL PROJECTION
Image Field. The primary field of this projection includes the anterior maxilla and its dentition and the anterior floor of the nasal fossa and teeth from canine to canine.Projection of Central Ray. Orient the central ray through the tip of the nose toward the middle of the receptor with approximately + 45 degrees vertical angulation and 0 degrees horizontal angulation.Point of Entry. The central ray enters the patient ’ s face approximately through the tip of the nose.
ANTERIOR MANDIBULAR OCCLUSAL PROJECTION
Image Field. This projection includes the anterior portion of the mandible, the dentition from canine to canine, and the inferior cortical border of the mandible.Projection of Central Ray. Orient the central ray with − 10 degrees angulation through the point of the chin toward the middle of the receptor; this gives the ray − 55 degrees of angulation to the plane of the receptor.Point of Entry. The point of entry of the central ray is in the midline and through the tip of the chin.
# 2 size film used for occlusal in children to image anterior developing dentition (see film at left)
# 4 size film used in adults for occlusal films. In the film at right, the location of the impacted canine is revealed.
The occlusal radiograph is especially useful in the following cases: 1-To precisely locate roots and supernumerary, unerupted, and impacted teeth (this technique is especially useful for impacted canines and third molars)
2-To localize foreign bodies in the jaws and stones in the ducts of sublingual and submandibular glands
3- To demonstrate and evaluate the integrity of the anterior, medial, and lateral outlines of the maxillary sinus
4-To obtain information about the location, nature, extent, and displacement of fractures of the mandible and maxilla
5-To determine the medial and lateral extent of disease (e.g., cysts, osteomyelitis, malignancies) and to detect disease in the palate or floor of the mouth
6-To aid in the examination of patients with trismus, who can open their mouths only a few millimeters; this condition precludes intraoral radiography, which may be impossible or at least extremely painful for the patient