Mandibular asymmetry diagnosis with panoramic imaging

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Mandibular asymmetry is a common condition requiring accurate diagnostic methods.
• Panoramic imaging is frequently used in dental practice for evaluating craniofacial structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the diagnostic capability of panoramic imaging in detecting mandibular asymmetry.
• To evaluate the accuracy and validity of panoramic imaging for diagnosing mandibular asymmetry.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across several electronic databases.
• Articles were selected based on criteria including mandibular asymmetry, panoramic imaging, and diagnostic accuracy validation.
• Full articles and their references were reviewed to ensure comprehensive data collection.

Main Results:

• Only 11 studies met all inclusion criteria for the analysis.
• Vertical measurements showed higher accuracy than horizontal or angular measurements but still had limitations.
• Reported magnification values from manufacturers may not align with actual or uniform magnification across the image.

Conclusions:

• Conventional and digital panoramic images should be used with caution for assessing mandibular asymmetry.
• A thorough understanding of the inherent limitations of various panoramic imaging techniques is crucial.
• Further research utilizing 3D-generated panoramic images is recommended to overcome current diagnostic limitations.