NDA Journal 14 Featured Article Dr. Mago is an Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist (OMR) and an Assistant Professor in Residence in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the UNLV SDM. She obtained an M.S. in Dental Sciences and completed residency training in OMR at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. She also worked as a faculty member at the University of Iowa. Dr. Mago has completed a Masters in Oral Medicine and Radiology at Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Dental Sciences and Research in India. Dr. Mago holds a specialty license to practice OMR in Nevada. Jyoti Mago, DDS Asst. Professor UNLV SDM Periodontal disease is generally a chronic bacterial infection that affects the alveolar bone and the neighbouring gingiva. The biggest challenge is to detect the bone defects and furcation involvement, especially on the lingual aspect. With two-dimensional radiography, determining the buccal or lingual location of the defect can be very challenging. The information that is derived from probing the gingival tissues in association with conventional diagnostic imaging provides guidance in assessing alveolar bone height and evaluating the presence of vertical bone defects.1 But, the prior knowledge of these defects with optimal radiographic assessment is valuable to help improve the prognosis of surgical regenerative therapy. Advanced radiographic techniques can play a crucial role in identifying some of these hidden defects. Initially, the radiographs that were most commonly used were intraoral bitewings. (Fig. 1) But now there are other extraoral modalities as well, which plays an important role in diagnosis, shown by current research. (Fig. 2) These modalities include extraoral bitewings generated by a panoramic machine and extraoral bitewings generated by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Extraoral bitewings generated by CBCT have much higher dose than other imaging modalities and this needs to be considered. A question arises of we can improve the images to visualize the periodontal structures including the periodontal ligament space, cortical bone, Figure 1, Intraoral bitewing radiograph by different machines Figure 2, Extraoral Bitewings Role of Radiology in Assessing Periodontal Defects
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