A clinical study of radiographic selection criteria for edentulous patients

This study was designed to determine if radiographic selection criteria could be developed and applied in the examination and treatment planning of edentulous patients. Fifty-one patients were examined and radiographs were prescribed for seven patients, where indicated by the selection criteria chosen. Previously-obtained screening panoramic films were interpreted first, for findings in the areas covered by the prescribed films, and then for occult findings in the remaining areas. Thirty-three patients showed occult positive findings, none of which had clinical significance. For this population, the prescription of radiographs provided the appropriate radiographic information for making treatment decisions. For the vast majority of patients (49), screening panoramic films were unproductive and therefore unnecessary.