3-23. FILING AND DISPOSING
Dental radiograph holders or containers should be identified with the patient's
name, rank, and other pertinent information, such as date and teeth, or area, included in
the films. See Subcourse MD0510, General Duties of the Dental Specialist. Guidance
for filing, transferring, and disposing of records is contained in Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines.
a. The Dental Health Record. Dental radiographs needed for future treatment
or follow-up observations of a patient are kept in the dental health record.
b. Disposition of Radiographs. Some radiographs may be kept for extended
periods if the dental officer deems necessary. These radiographs may serve as history
with regard to future treatment of the patient.
Section V. ANATOMIC RADIOGRAPHIC LANDMARKS
3-24. GENERAL
A number of anatomic landmarks are visible in dental radiographs. Knowledge of
the location and normal appearances of these landmarks is important in identification
and orientation of radiographs. This knowledge is valuable to the dental officer in
determining whether the area is normal or abnormal. The landmarks that appear as
dark areas on the film are radiolucent. The areas that appear as light areas on the film
are radiopaque. Anatomic characteristics and the relationship between individual teeth
are anatomic landmarks with which all dental specialists should be familiar.
3-25. RADIOLUCENT LANDMARKS ON MAXILLARY RADIOGRAPHS
a. Maxillary Sinus. The maxillary sinus (see figure 3-21) is a very prominent
radiolucent structure. It sometimes appears as overlapping lobes or a single radiolucent
area with a radiopaque border. The maxillary sinus is partially seen in all periapical
radiographs of the bicuspid-molar area. It occupies a large part of the body of the
maxilla, varying greatly in dimension, but normally extending into the alveolar process
adjacent to the apices of the posterior teeth.
Figure 3-21. Maxillary sinus.
MD0512
3-19
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