Lamina dura

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Lamina dura is a radiographic term used to describe alveolar bone proper (cortical bone), which forms the sockets of teeth. It is also considered to be specialized continuation of the cortical plate. Radiographically, lamina dura is seen as a well-defined radiopaque line that surrounds the roots of teeth in health. The appearance of lamina dura on a radiograph is because of the attenuation of the X-ray beam as it passes through the thin layer of bone tangentially.

Usually lamina dura is well-defined. However, on occasions, even in a healthy tooth lamina dura may appear indistinct and diffuse because of an obliquely directed X-ray beam. Lamina dura is generally more radiodense and thick around the roots of teeth under heavy occlusal forces. A double lamina dura is seen when the surfaces of the mesial and distal root are in the path of the central beam of the X-ray. Loss of lamina dura either partially or generalized may indicate the presence of a local periapical pathology or an underlying systemic disturbance.

Lamina dura Resources
Doctor showing form.jpg
Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD