RADIOPAQUE LANDMARKS ON MANDIBULAR RADIOGRAPHS

a. Border of the Mandible. The border of the mandible is seen as a heavy white line (see figure 3-30). A similar line does not appear on maxillary radiographs.

Figure 3-30. Border of the mandible.

b. External Oblique Ridge. The external oblique ridge is a white line of variable density extending into the molar region as a continuation of the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible (see figure 3-31).

Figure 3-31. External oblique ridge.

c. Genial Tubercles. Genial tubercles are seen as round white areas, having dark centers, located below and between the central incisors (see figure 3-32).

Figure 3-32. Genial tubercles

d. Mental Process (Mental VRidge). The mental ridge may appear as a dense white ridge of varying density extending from the anterior midline to the bicuspid region, usually located below the anterior teeth, but occasionally superimposed over the apices.

e. Mylohyoid Ridge (Internal Oblique Ridge). The mylohyoid ridge appears as a white line of varying width and indensity, extending from close to the lower border of the symphysis of the mandible, upward and distally, to end beyond the third molar. It reaches its greatest prominence in the molar region. It is generally not a prominent feature.