Routine Radiographic Findings in Clinically Healthy Edentulous Jaw Bones of Patients Seeking Their First Set of Complete Denture Prostheses.

OBJECTIVE To describe the role of routine radiographic examination of clinically healthy completely edentulous jaws prior to fabrication of the first set of complete dentures. DESIGN Cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study. SETTINGS The departments of Conservative and Prosthetic Dentistry, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral Medicine/Oral Pathology, Dental Maxillofacial Radiology of the School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi. RESULTS One hundred and eighty eight records were examined of which only 47(25%) had radiographic records. One hundred and fifty two significant radiographic findings and indices were recorded, which included retained roots, impacted teeth, significant radioluscencies and radiopacities, calcified stylohyoid ligament, extensive alveolar bone resorption, condylar changes and mandibular cortical index. CONCLUSION This study confirms the high diagnostic yield of routine preprosthetic treatment radiographic examination. It also puts into perspective various anatomical indices in the jaw which, with proper interpretation, may determine or influence management decisions and prognosis in individual patients.