Radiographic TechniqueQuestion 46 of 100
When taking a maxillary molar periapical with the paralleling technique, where should the receptor be positioned?
a.Toward the midline of the palate, away from the teeth, so it stays parallel to their long axes
b.Pressed directly against the lingual surfaces of the molars
c.Angled 45 degrees against the palatal tissue
d.Outside the cheek over the zygomatic arch
Explanation
The receptor must be placed toward the middle of the palate so it can remain parallel to the long axes of the molars, with the holder maintaining that relationship. Pressing it against the lingual surfaces tilts the receptor and destroys parallelism. A 45-degree angle belongs to the bisecting approach, and placement outside the cheek describes an extraoral projection.
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