Lamina dura

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.

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