Predicting the mesial-distal dimensions of teeth with panoramic radiography

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative accuracy of a panoramic radiographic method in the determination of unerupted tooth mass. Four types of radiographic films were made for each of fifty children. The diameters of the unerupted permanent cuspids and bicuspids were measured to compare and assess the degree of linear distortion between the types of radiographs when obtained under routine clinical conditions. The experimental Panorex film was made with the patient positioned eccentrically, but all other radiographic procedures used in this study followed the techniques recommended by the Indiana University School of Dentistry Department of Radiology. The greatest mesial-distal dimensions of the unerupted permanent cuspids and bicuspids were recorded to the nearest 0.1 millimeter. The data were recorded on standard IBM punch cards and submitted for summation and statistical analysis to the Research Computation Center of Indiana University- Purdue University at Indianapolis. Although magnification was reduced considerably, the experimental technique was demonstrated not to be of sufficient and consistent accuracy to be applicable in the determination of tooth mass for the mixed dentition analysis.