Author: Dr. Shawneen Gonzalez

DDS, MS, Diplomate ABOMR
3 min read 0

Retaking radiographs: Are you in or are you out?

With a new school year about to start, we will have many new students entering the clinic with little experience making radiographs.  With this comes many retakes.  The one thing I will also be asked by the returning students is why some private offices (they were in rotations over the…
1 min read 0

Case of the Week: Dilaceration

This week I have a case of dilaceration (an abnormal curvature of a root or roots).  It is important to note that a dilaceration is an ABNORMAL curvature and not to be confused with roots that normally have a slight curve to them (such as the mesio-buccal and disto-buccal roots…
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Why a radiograph and x ray are not the same thing

Many, many people and dental professionals incorrectly use the term x ray when referring to a radiograph.  I am quite the nitpick on this and other terminology, which drives my students up the walls from time to time.  I’m not sure why or how everyone learned to incorrectly identify a…
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Case of the Week: Ectopic eruption

This week I have an interesting case of ectopic eruption.  Ectopic eruption is when a tooth erupts into an abnormal location (frequently into another tooth).  This case involved two mandibular premolars.  Due to the positioning of the crowns, there was extensive decay as the patient was unable to clean the…
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New patient radiographic exams

Imagine a new patient is coming to your practice today.  Do you have a preset radiographic exam you give every patient or do you evaluate the patient and determine what radiographs to order? Each office I’ve talked to is a little different in this.  While some offices prefer to order…