[Measurement of mesiodistal root angulation for panoramic images and the effect of buccolingual root angulation]. / Evaluation de l'angulation radiculaire mésio-distale pour les images panoramiques et l'impact de l'angulation radiculaire vestibulo-linguale.

Panoramic images were taken from an anatomically correct phantom with three different buccolingual angulations for each tooth (Original, 10 degrees buccal root torque, and 10 degrees lingual root torque). The true mesiodistal angulation of each tooth was determined with a three-dimensional coordinate measurement machine. Each tooth had at least one angle measurement that was statistically different from the other mesiodistal angles with different buccolingual orientations. Roots with buccal root orientations were projected more distally than they were in reality; and the roots lingually positioned were projected more mesially. The canine and premolars in both arches were most affected and the phenomenon was more pronounced in the maxilla than the mandible. Buccolingual orientation changes did not affect the root angulation expression on the incisor area.

Effect of buccolingual root angulation on the mesiodistal angulation shown on panoramic radiographs.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of buccolingual root angulation on the perception of root parallelism in panoramic images. METHODS: A skull-typodont device was constructed according to cephalometric norms. The bases of the typodont were partially sectioned so that the buccolingual orientation of 4 adjacent pairs of teeth could be easily modified. Three buccolingual angulations were used for each tooth. Nine image sequences were necessary to analyze all possible buccolingual orientation combinations between adjacent teeth. The true root parallelism angulations relative to an orthodontic archwire were compared with the angulations obtained from scanned panoramic films. RESULTS: The largest root parallelism differences for adjacent teeth occurred between the maxillary canine and the first premolar. The second largest differences occurred in the mandibular canine-premolar area. No significant differences were found in the incisor area. CONCLUSIONS: The root parallelism expression in the canine-premolar region can be modified by altering the buccolingual orientation. Buccolingual orientation changes do not seem to affect the incisor area. The clinical usefulness of panoramic radiography to assess root parallelism should be approached with caution, especially in premolar extraction sites.