Positioning difficulties in
periapical radiography
I. Mandibular third molar
II. Gagging
III. Endodontics
IV. Edentulous alveolar ridges
V. Children
VI. Patients with disabilities
Possible solutions
• Using specially designed holders
•Taking two radiographs of the third molar
using two different horizontal tubehead
angulations
• Fig.8.28
Problems with gagging and
possible solutions
• The patient sucks a local anaesthetic
lozenge before positioning of the film
packet
• The patient is asked to concentrate on
breading deeply while the film packet is in
the mouth
• Placing the film packet flat in the mouth
and using bisected angle technique
Problems encountered during
endodontics
• Film packet placement and stabilization
when endodontic instruments, rubber dam
and rubber dam clamps are in position
• Identification and separation of root canals
• Assessing root canal lengths from
foreshortened or elongated radiographs
Possible solutions
• Using a Rinn Eezee-Grip
• Using Rinn endo instrument
Identification and separation of root
canals
Assessing root canal length
• Using paralleling technique
• Calculating mathematically the actual
length from a radiograph taken by bisected
angle technique
Problems encountered with
children