[Digital orthopantomography with memory phosphorus in the study of periodontal pathology]

Digital images can improve the quality of panoramic radiography also because they can be magnified by the computer in the post-processing phase. In this study, 100 patients with periodontal disease were examined with digital panoramic radiography. The degree of alveolar bone resorption was assessed by measuring the depth of infraosseous pouches. The distance between the amelodental junction and the alveolar ridge was considered abnormal when it exceeded 1-1.5 mm. Our results confirm the high quality of digital panoramic radiographs which were always rich in details and allowed the clear depiction of the alveolar edge. The incidence and depth of infraosseous pouches are higher in older patients (mean distance between the amelodentinal junction and the alveolar ridge > 4 mm in patients over 40). The measurements made on digital panoramic radiographs and on intraoral films were compared and high agreement was observed (+/- 1 mm disagreement in 80% of measurements). In our experience, digital panoramic radiography can be considered a valuable diagnostic alternative to intraoral films to study periodontal disease and to measure bone resorption.