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Radiology · single question

What does the SLOB rule stand for, and what does it tell you?

  1. Same Lingual Opposite Buccal — the object that moves in the same direction as the cone is lingual
  2. Same Labial Opposite Buccal — used for anterior teeth only
  3. Same Lingual Opposite Buccal — the object that moves opposite to the cone is lingual
  4. Superior Lingual Opposite Buccal — applied to mandibular projections only
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Same Lingual Opposite Buccal — the object that moves opposite to the cone is lingual

The SLOB rule (Same Lingual Opposite Buccal) is used to determine the buccal-lingual position of objects (roots, foreign bodies, calcifications) on periapical radiographs using tube shift technique. When comparing two images with different horizontal angulation: the object that moves in the SAME direction as the cone shift is LINGUAL; the object that moves in the OPPOSITE direction from the cone shift is BUCCAL. Application: determining which of two roots is buccal vs. lingual (e.g., maxillary premolar roots, mandibular incisors).
  • A. ❌ Partially correct but the key application is that 'Same = Lingual' means the lingual object moves the same direction as the cone shift.
  • B. ❌ SLOB is not 'Same Labial' — it is 'Same Lingual Opposite Buccal.'
  • C. ✅ CORRECT – SLOB: the object that moves in the OPPOSITE direction from the cone is BUCCAL; same direction = LINGUAL.
  • D. ❌ SLOB applies to all teeth, not just mandibular projections.

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