Need for a panoramic radiographic assessment prior to prosthetic treatment in edentulous patients

Background and objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of positive radiographic findings in pre-prosthetic panoramic radiographs of edentulous arches before prior to fabricating complete dentures.

Methods

A total of 60 OPGs (ortho-panoramic radiographs) of edentulous patients who presented either for the construction of new dentures or for the replacement of dentures were selected within a period of one year. All the OPGs were taken using a CBCT machine (PaX-Duo 3D, Korea) with standard radiographic exposures and they were evaluated by a specialist in maxillofacial radiology on the computer screen, without any magnification, for the following radiographic findings: the location of the mandibular canal, the position of the mental foramen, retained roots, impacted teeth, radiolucencies, radiopacities and foreign bodies

Results

The mean age of the population was 65.1 (±9.25) and it consisted of 70% females and 30% males. Among the study population, 8.33% and 6.67% were having retained roots and un-erupted/ impacted teeth respectively. A total of 3.33% cases had the mandibular canal situated at the crest of the residual ridge and the mental foramen was at the level of the alveolar crest in 8.33% of patients. Out of all the cases, only 1.66% and 13.33% of individuals had radiolucencies and radiopacities respectively.

Conclusion

Even though positive radiological findings were observed in the study sample, actual treatment in terms of pre-prosthetic surgery was indicated only in few cases. Therefore, routine panoramic radiographs before fabricating complete dentures are not recommended unless the patient has a clinically obvious sign or symptom.