Limitations of Panoramic Radiographs: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Panoramic radiographs are valuable and technically easy procedures in determining lesions and the other pathological conditions of the jaw. However, it should be recognized that there are obvious limitations in these films. These limitations include distortions, magnifications, and difficulties in identifying the relationship of the lesions with vital structures. This study presented two cases that indicated the limitations of panoramic radiographs. In the first case, a radiolucent lesion was detected on panoramic radiography. The borders of the lesion were associated with the mandibular canal and mental foremen. In the second case, two radiolucent areas were seen on panoramic radiography. They were determined to be in relation to the maxillary sinus and mental foramen. Following the screening panoramic examination, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was obtained in both of the cases. The CBCT views demonstrated no relationship between the lesions and the anatomical structures detected in the panoramic radiographs. In conclusion, using only panoramic radiographs is not enough for the detection of the anatomic relationships and borders of the lesions. We suggest that dentists need 3D images to provide the correct information for presurgical assessments.

Keywords

• Panoramic radiography
• dental tomography
• pathology