Correlation between panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography in assessing maxillary impacted canines

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Orthodontics
• Radiology

Background:

• Maxillary impacted canines (MICs) pose diagnostic challenges.
• Accurate assessment of MICs' position is crucial for treatment planning.
• Root resorption of adjacent incisors is a potential complication of MICs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of panoramic radiography in determining the labio-palatal position of MICs.
• To assess the correlation between panoramic findings and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) evaluations.
• To investigate the relationship between MIC position and root resorption of permanent incisors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 64 patients with 86 MICs.
• Classification of MIC mesiodistal position into five sectors on panoramic radiographs.
• Evaluation of labio-palatal position and incisor root resorption using CBCT.

Main Results:

• Most MICs were palatally positioned (67%).
• A statistically significant association was found between panoramic sectors and labio-palatal MIC position on CBCT (P < .001).
• Root resorption of incisors was significantly linked to sector location, particularly sectors 4 and 5 (P < .01).

Conclusions:

• Panoramic radiographs are useful for predicting the labio-palatal position of MICs.
• Sector location on panoramic images can help anticipate potential root resorption of adjacent incisors.
• This correlation aids in treatment planning for impacted canines.