Influence of rotation around axial axis and rotation and tilt around sagittal axis on measurements in panoramic radiographic images

Abstract

Introduction: Patient's head should be adjusted carefully or else dimensions in panoramic radiograph are not accurate. This study evaluated the effect of rotation around axial and sagittal axis on magnification in each area of the jaws. Materials and Methods: Seven human skulls were marked horizontally and vertically. Each skull was imaged in the ideal and rotated positions. Rotations were 1–2, 2–4, and 4–6° around axial axis and same degrees of rotations and tilts was applied to left around sagittal axis. Results: Maxillary and mandibular vertical dimensions were both affected significantly by the extension and flexion of the skull. Changes of horizontal dimensions were significant only in anterior maxilla in downward rotation and in anterior mandible in upward rotation (P ≤ 0.05). Horizontal dimensions were the most affected dimensions by rotation and tilt. Left side dimensions were affected more than right side. Tilts more than 4 degrees and rotations more than 2° around sagittal axis lead to significant differences in horizontal dimensions (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Rotation around axial and sagittal axis and tilt around sagittal axis up to 6° cause significant dimensional changes in some areas of the jaws, but these changes are clinically negligible.

Keywords

• axis
• digital radiography
• panoramic
• radiography
• rotation