Abstract

AIMS
The aim of the present study was to compare diagnostic assessments of anterior tooth and bone status in a randomised cohort of pre-orthodontic patients using panoramic and periapical radiographs.
METHOD
Four hundred and forty-four cases with matched periapical and panoramic radiographs were examined by three observers. Two were final-year postgraduate endodontic students and the other, a final-year Honours degree dental student. Multi-rater Kappa values were used to assess the reliability of the observers, with a value of 1 equating to complete agreement.
RESULTS
With the exception of endodontic Class 1 and 2 palatal invaginations, reliability exceeded 0.95 for all three observers. An assessment of the graduate endodontic students revealed only a marginal increase in the kappa values. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) determined that developmental anomalies or tooth/bone pathoses were more reliably detected by observers using periapical radiographs compared with panoramic films. This finding has relevance given the likelihood of anterior dental trauma among young children.
CONCLUSION
While there have been considerable improvements in the quality of dental panoramic radiography, the present study indicated that a reliable pre-orthodontic or post-trauma diagnostic assessment should include both panoramic and intra-oral radiographs.

Authors

Le T, Nassery K, Kahlert B, Heithersay G

Institution

School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia.

Source

Australian orthodontic journal 27:2 2011 Nov pg 162-8

MeSH

Alveolar Process
Anodontia
Cohort Studies
Cuspid
Dental Enamel
Dental Pulp Calcification
Humans
Incisor
Jaw Diseases
Observer Variation
Periapical Diseases
Radiography, Bitewing
Radiography, Panoramic
Root Resorption
Tooth Diseases
Tooth Fractures
Tooth Root
Tooth, Nonvital
Tooth, Supernumerary

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22372273