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Radiological findings in edentulous Kenyan patients
J T Kaimenyi1, P Karongo, T J Ocholla
1Department of Dental Surgery, Dental School, College of Health Sciences, Nairobi.
East African Medical Journal
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Routine dental radiographs are crucial for edentulous patients. Pre-treatment X-rays reveal potential issues like retained roots and unerupted teeth, preventing complications and ensuring better denture fit.
Area of Science:
- Dental Surgery
- Oral Radiology
Background:
- Edentulous patients require careful pre-treatment evaluation.
- Routine radiographic examination is not consistently performed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of routine radiographs in edentulous patients.
- To identify the types and locations of radiological findings in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 775 edentulous patient files.
- Scrutiny for pre-treatment radiographs and positive radiological findings.
Main Results:
- Only 23.2% of patients had pre-treatment radiographs.
- 26% of these radiographs showed positive findings, including retained roots (17.3%) and unerupted teeth (3.9%).
- Radiological findings were predominantly in the mandible (52.9%) and anterior maxilla (66.7%).
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of edentulous patients lack pre-treatment radiographs.
- Undiagnosed radiological findings can lead to complications like infection or poor denture fit.
- Routine radiographic examination prior to treatment is recommended for all edentulous patients.