Now the answer from Wednesday.
Where is the retained root fragment (white arrow) in relation to the first premolar?
Before starting to use the image shift principle it is important to know/remember two key points
- Images move in the opposite direction from the movement of the source.
- Images of objects farther from the image receptor will move more (aka objects (images) more facial/buccal will appear to move more).
The first thing to do is pick a stationary object that is seen on both radiographs and appears to move in comparison to the root fragment. On these radiographs, we will use the roots of the maxillary right first premolar (#5).
The next step is to determine what angle change is obvious between the two radiographs? Positive vertical angle, negative vertical angle or horizontal angle.
The most obvious angle change is the horizontal angle between the two radiographs. Starting with the maxillary right premolar periapical radiograph and moving to the maxillary right canine periapical radiograph, the horizontal angle decreases meaning the source of radiation (tubehead) moves anteriorly. According to point 1 above, this means the images move posterior.
Looking at the second radiograph (maxillary right canine periapical radiograph), we need to compare the image movement of the root fragment versus the first premolar (#5) to see which object moved more posterior following point 2 listed above.
The root fragment appears to be more posterior on the maxillary right canine periapical radiograph meaning it is farther from the image receptor compared to the first premolar (#5).
This gives us an answer of the root fragment being to the facial of the first premolar (#5).
SLOB (Same-Lingual, Opposite-Buccal)
We will use the same objects as above (unknown object = root fragment and fixed object = first premolar (#5)).
Next, we need to determine which direction we are moving from the maxillary right premolar periapical radiograph to the maxillary right canine periapical radiograph and the answer would be – mesial.
On the maxillary right canine periapical radiograph determine what direction does the root fragment appear to have moved in relation to the first premolar (#5) – distal.
Here is where the acronym comes into play. Did the unknown object move in the SAME direction as the radiographs or in the OPPOSITE direction?
Our answer is – opposite and the acronym states that opposite is buccal, so the root fragment is to the buccal of the first premolar (#5).
If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. Thanks and enjoy!
