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ADEX exam

ADEX Radiographic Interpretation – Caries, Perio & Endo Patterns

A high-yield guide to reading dental radiographs the way ADEX examiners expect: caries, periodontal disease, and endodontic findings.

Quick Answers

What radiographic skills does ADEX test?

The ability to identify caries, bone loss, periapical lesions, and anatomical landmarks accurately.

How can you avoid over-calling disease?

Match radiographic findings with expected patterns—don’t diagnose pathology from artifacts or overlaps.

What is the most common ADEX radiographic error?

Confusing cervical burnout with root caries or misreading normal trabecular patterns.

How do you identify early periapical pathology?

Look for loss of lamina dura, widening of PDL space, and periapical radiolucency consistent with symptoms.

What does ADEX expect you to mention?

Diagnosis, severity, extent, and how findings affect treatment decisions.

1. What ADEX evaluates in radiographic reading

ADEX focuses on simple, predictable interpretation. Examiners want to see that you can differentiate normal anatomy from pathology and apply findings to basic treatment decisions.

You are not expected to diagnose complex lesions—just to show consistent, safe interpretation.

2. Caries interpretation patterns

The most tested patterns include:

  • Interproximal caries: triangular radiolucency at enamel–dentin junction.
  • Occlusal caries: radiolucent lines under the DEJ, often not visible until deeper.
  • Root caries: saucer-shaped radiolucency on exposed root surfaces.
  • Recurrent caries: radiolucency at margin of restorations.

Avoid diagnosing caries from cervical burnout or radiographic overlap—these are classic exam traps.

3. Periodontal patterns

Key findings examiners expect:

  • Crestal bone loss: horizontal or vertical defects.
  • Furcation involvement: radiolucency in molar furcation areas.
  • Widened PDL: early sign of occlusal trauma or inflammation.
  • Calculus detection: small radiopaque spurs near CEJ.

Describe distribution (localized/generalized) and pattern (horizontal/vertical) for extra points.

4. Endodontic interpretation

High-yield features to identify:

  • Periapical radiolucency: indicates possible pulpal necrosis.
  • Loss of lamina dura: early sign of periapical disease.
  • Calcified canals: narrow or obscured canal space.
  • Previous RCT quality: length, taper, voids.

ADEX wants concise interpretation—not long differential lists.

5. Common exam mistakes

  • Calling artifacts “lesions.”
  • Missing early periodontal changes due to focusing only on caries.
  • Confusing normal anatomy (e.g., mental foramen) with pathology.
  • Ignoring clinical symptoms when interpreting endodontic findings.

6. Fast memory points

  • Cervical burnout ≠ caries.
  • Horizontal vs vertical bone loss matters.
  • Loss of lamina dura = early pathology.
  • Look at the PDL space before declaring periapical disease.
  • Describe severity and distribution clearly.

How DentAIstudy helps

With Study Builder, you can generate:

  • Radiographic interpretation examples.
  • Quick caries, perio, and endo identification scenarios.
  • Flashcards on classic ADEX radiographic patterns.
  • Short summaries linking findings to treatment reasoning.

Try Study Builder →

References

  • CDCA-WREB-CITA Radiographic Evaluation Guidelines.
  • Standard radiographic interpretation principles used in dentistry.
  • Common exam training patterns taught in preclinical radiology courses.