Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2026
05:49
Reliability of Artificial Intelligence-Based Cone Beam Computed Tomography Integration with Digital Dental Images
Published on: February 23, 2024
Can Panoramic Radiography Reliably Detect Root Resorption From Impacted Maxillary Canines?
Mustafa A Badi1, Peter Gakunga2, Hassem Geha3
1Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Temple University, Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, Philadelphia, USA.
Cureus
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Panoramic radiography (PR) shows limited accuracy for detecting root resorption from impacted maxillary canines. Despite this, PR remains a valuable initial screening tool for dentists and orthodontists.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Panoramic radiography (PR) is commonly used for assessing impacted maxillary canines.
- Its accuracy in detecting associated root resorption requires further quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PR for detecting root resorption linked to impacted maxillary canines.
- To compare PR's accuracy against cone-beam CT (CBCT) as the reference standard.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 51 patients (71 impacted canine sites) with paired PR and CBCT images.
- Six observers (radiology residents, orthodontic residents, general dentists) assessed PR for root resorption.
- CBCT images were evaluated by expert radiologists to establish the reference standard.
Main Results:
- Root resorption was identified in 39.4% of sites via CBCT.
- PR demonstrated an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.659.
- Sensitivity was 63.1% and specificity was 59.3% for detecting resorption.
Conclusions:
- PR exhibits limited but clinically useful diagnostic accuracy for root resorption associated with impacted maxillary canines.
- PR remains a valuable initial screening tool in clinical practice.
