Longitudinal study of the diagnostic yield of panoramic radiographs in aging edentulous men

Participants in the Veterans Administration Dental Longitudinal Study who were edentulous and for whom longitudinal panoramic radiographs were available were followed through four examination cycles, representing approximately 10 years. It was observed that 13 (39%) of the 33 subjects examined had one or more positive radiographic findings at the initial examination. No changes occurred in the findings noted during the initial panoramic radiographic examination, and no new findings were observed over the study period. Although the initial baseline panoramic examinations yielded several positive radiographic findings, few were of a nature that materially affected the initial treatment plan.