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Glossary

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This glossary highlights key terms used in our CBCT reports at OralRadiologists.com. Understanding these concepts can enhance your ability to interpret our findings, improve communication with patients, and elevate diagnostic precision in your practice. Curated by Dr. Anthony Mecham and our oral radiology team, these terms reflect common observations and critical insights from Cone Beam CT imaging.

a

  • Air-Fluid Level

    A horizontal line in the maxillary sinus on CBCT, indicating fluid accumulation, often linked to inflammation or infection.

  • Alveolar Ridge Atrophy

    Loss of bone height or width at an extraction site, seen as a reduced contour onCBCT, relevant for implant planning.

  • Antrolithiasis

    Small, hyperdense calcifications in the maxillary sinus, appearing as faint granular spots, typically benign, incidental findings.

  • Area of Interest

    A horizontal CBCT slice, useful for assessing symmetry or pathology across the jaw, skull, or sinuses.

  • Axial Plane

    The specific region or question highlighted by the referring doctor for detailedCBCT evaluation, beyond the entire scan.
b
    c

    • Calcinosis Cutis

      Scattered hyperdense flecks in cutaneous soft tissues (e.g., face or neck), indicating calcium deposits, an incidental finding. This may be related to previous bouts of acne or trauma.

    • Caries

      Hypodense areas in teeth on CBCT, often near the pulp space or cervical region, indicating decay.

    • Cervical Resorption

      A well-defined hypodense defect in cervical dentin, often near the pulp, suggesting external root resorption.

    • Corticated Border

      A thin, uniform, hyperdense outline around a structure (e.g., condyle or lesion), indicating intact cortex.

    • Cortical Perforation

      A break in the cortical bone, seen as discontinuity on CBCT, often linked to aggressive lesions or malignancy.

    • Coronal Plane

      A vertical CBCT slice dividing front and back, useful for assessing facial and skull base symmetry, sinus anatomy, or pathology.
    d
      e

      • Erosion

        Irregular bone loss, often with ragged or "moth-eaten" edges, seen in inflammatory or malignant processes. Also, a concavity along a joint surface, typically a sign of degenerative joint changes.
      f

      • Field of View (FOV)

        The area captured by the CBCT scan, adjustable for diagnostic needs (e.g., 160 x 160 x 160 mm).
      g
        h

        • Hyperdense

          A bright area on CBCT, indicating dense structures like bone, calcifications, or metal, blocking X-rays.

        • Hypodense

          A dark area on CBCT, indicating less dense structures like air, soft tissue, or lytic lesions, allowing X-ray passage.
        i

        • Idiopathic Osteosclerosis

          A well-defined, hyperdense bone region, often apical or at extraction sites (synonymous with dense bone island), benign and unrelated to inflammation.

        • Ill-Defined

          A Lesion with vague, irregular borders on CBCT, often signaling malignancy or aggressive pathology.

        • Invasive

          A lesion extending beyond normal boundaries (e.g., through cortices), seen as irregular hypodensity, suggestive of malignancy.
        j
          k
            l
              m

              • Mucosal Thickening

                A soft tissue opacity along sinus walls, often polypoid or mild, indicating inflammation without obstructing drainage.
              n
                o

                • Osteoma

                  A well-defined, osseous hyperdensity in a sinus or bone, typically benign and not affecting surrounding structures.

                • Osteomyelitis

                  A hypodense lesion with ragged borders and possible bony fragments in the jaw, suggesting bone infection.

                • Osteophyte

                  Small, hyperdense bony protrusions, often on mandibular condyles or cervical spine, indicating degenerative joint changes.
                p

                • Periapical Inflammatory Lesion

                  A well-defined hypodense area at a tooth apex, often linked to endodontic issues, suggesting inflammation or abscess.

                • Periodontal Bone Loss

                  Reduced bone height around teeth on CBCT, often generalized or severe, indicating periodontal disease.
                q
                  r
                    s

                    • Sclerosis

                      Increased bone density, seen as hyperdense areas on CBCT, often in TMJ osteoarthritis or healing sites.

                    • Sagittal Plane

                      A vertical CBCT slice dividing left and right, ideal for assessing tooth angulation or jaw alignment.

                    • Scalloping

                      A curved, hypodense border around roots or bone, often linked to odontogenic lesions like keratocysts.

                    • Soft Tissue Opacity

                      A gray area on CBCT indicating soft tissue density, often in sinuses (e.g., mucosal thickening) or airways.
                    t

                    • Tonsilloliths

                      Hyperdense calcifications in the palatine (or less commonly pharyngeal or lingual) tonsils, an incidental finding on CBCT neck views.
                    u
                      v
                        w

                        • Well-Defined

                          Aion with clear, sarp borders on CBCT, typically indicating a benign or contained process (e.g., cyst, osteoma).
                        x
                          y
                            z

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