ABSTRACT
Purpose@#Prior to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), orthodontic competence included radiological interpretation. Nevertheless, maxillary impacted canines (MICs), because of their position and adjacent complex anatomy, have been challenging to interpret, particularly with regard to root resorption. Although CBCT crosssectional reconstructions of MICs yielded clearer insights into its diagnosis and treatment planning, the value of simultaneously using 2 different cross-sectional or multiplanar reconstructions of the CBCT datasets - orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstructions - has hitherto not been considered. @*Materials and Methods@#Both orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstruction series of 5 screenshots were each reconstructed from the 5 cm × 5 cm CBCT datasets of 15 separate MICs. Fifteen credentialled and experienced orthodontist volunteers reviewed 2 separate PowerPoints of 15 randomized series each, 1 week apart.Their review considered 6 factors that could affect treatment: the position and level of the MIC, the presence or absence of root resorption, ankylosis, cysts, and dilaceration. @*Results@#All 15 orthodontists were statistically similar regarding overall years of experience and of CBCT use. Although either reconstruction alone allowed the orthodontists to determine whether ankylosis and, to a lesser extent, most of the other features were present or absent in the MIC, reviewing both reconstructions together was necessary to determine whether root resorption was present or absent in the adjacent tooth. @*Conclusion@#Reviewing both orthogonal and curved/panoramic multiplanar reconstructions was necessary to evaluate the presence or absence of root resorption in the teeth adjacent to MICs and that of many other features. (Imaging Sci Dent 2023; 53: 145-51)
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of incidental findings (IFs) on digital dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) of asymptomatic patients attending a general dental practice.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 6,252 consecutive digital (photostimulatable phosphor) DPRs of patients who visited a Canadian general dental practice for a complete new patient examination. The IFs were grouped into dental-related anomalies, radiopacities and radiopacities in the jaws, changes in the shape of the condyles, and other findings in the jaws, such as tonsilloliths and mucosal antral pseudocysts. Their prevalence was determined.RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of the DPRs showed at least 1 IF. The highest prevalence was found for dental-related anomalies (29% of all DPRs), of which impacted teeth were the most prevalent finding (24% of all DPRs), followed by idiopathic osteosclerosis (6% of all DPRs). A lower prevalence was noted for tonsilloliths (3%), and the prevalence of root tips, mucosal antral pseudocysts, and anomalies in condylar shape was approximately 1% each.CONCLUSION: The observed prevalence of 32.1% for IFs of any type underscores the need for a dental practitioner to review the entire DPR when a patient presents for an initial dental examination (or check-up) or for dental hygiene. Only a single IF (a central giant cell granuloma) provoked alarm, as it was initially considered malignant. Similarly, impacted teeth and suspected cysts need careful evaluation upon discovery to determine how they may be optimally managed.