The Accuracy of Dental Panoramic Radiography In Assessment of Position and Root Morphology of Third Molar Teeth

Radiography is important as a paraclinical guide for choosing a proper surgical method and avoiding root fracture during surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine the accuracy of Dental panoramic radiography in assessment of third molars, in patients referred to oral radiology department of Islamic Azad university, dental branch, Tehran In 2010. This diagnostic clinical trial study was performed on 80 third molars. Impaction status, number of roots, fusion and root curvature was assessed on radiographs before surgery by two observers, and compared with surgical findings after operation. Acceptable range for root curvature was considered ±10 degrees difference between radiographic and clinical observation. Statistical analysis was performed using ratio tests. 133 roots were assessed. The root curvature was 154 ±21.9 degree and 81.2% were in acceptable range. Radiographic predictive value for diagnosing impaction, root's fusion and having single root was 100%, 79% and 73.3% respectively and for tooth eruption, root separation and multiple roots was 98%, 86.6% and 98% respectively. Highest and lowest predictive values were found to be for the diagnosis of tooth impaction (100%) and single root tooth (73.3%) respectively. Our results showed that dental panoramic radiographs have relatively high diagnostic precision for assessment of third molar status and morphology