Survey of Panaromic Radiographic Examination of Edentulous Jaws Prior To Denture Construction

SOURCE: Department of Prosthodontics, Crown & Bridge, and Implantology, Tagore Dental College and Hospital, Rathinamangalam,Vandalur Post,Chennai-600127 , India.www.tagoredch.com BACKGROUND: Panoramic radiography is a valuable diagnostic tool in the pretreatment assessment of partially and completely edentulous patients.Many investigators recommended routine radiographic examination for the edentulous jaws before denture treatment, but their routine use in such patients is still not confirmed. AIM: The present study was undertaken to review the significance of pre-treatment panoramic radiographic assessment of edentulous patients, in the dental patient population of Chennai, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey of 705 panoramic radiographs in a span of 36 months was selected from the patient at Tagore Dental College and Hospitals,Chennai,India.Radiographs were evaluated for the presence of seven entities ; root fragments, impacted teeth, radiolucencies, radiopacities,foreign bodies, Mental foramina near the crest of the residual ridge, Maxillary sinus close to the crest of the residual ridge. The chi-square test of goodness of fit for equal proportion was utilized to determine the difference of radiographic entities. RESULTS: Of the 705 patients included in the study,48.36% Patients (n=341) were already wearing denture and 51.63% (n=364) were newly edentulous patients with a mean age of 51.5 years. Of 705 patients 70.92% patients (n=500) were free of positive findings and 29.07% patients (n=205) have shown positive findings.Out of 205 patients 51.21% (n=105) were already wearing dentures and 48.78 (n=100) were newly edentulous patients, 56.09% (n=115) were males and 43.09% (n=90) were females. Out of 205 cases, 45 patients (21.95%) had one or more remaining root fragments. 26 patients (12.68%) had impacted teeth. The radiographs of 9 patients (4.39%) demonstrated radiopacities, and 13 patients (6.34%) demonstrated radiolucencies. The radiographs of 6 patients (2.92%) exhibited foreign bodies.42 patients (20.48%) mental foramina was near the crest of the residual alveolar ridge.64 patients(31.21%) maxillary sinus was close the crest of the residual alveolar ridge. Application of the Chi-square test has shown that root fragments,maxillary sinus and mental foramen was a highly significant entity in comparison to the other entities. CONCLUSION: The results of this and previous studies demonstrate the necessity of routine radiographic examination of the jaws for all edentulous patients before constructing complete dentures. It also indicates the need for a better extraction technique together with the use of radiographs before and after extraction.