Is dental panoramic tomography appropriate for all young adults because of third molars?

: Tommi Vesala, Marja Ekholm, Irja Ventä

Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

: 2020

: Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

: ACTA ODONTOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA

: ACTA ODONTOL SCAND

: 7

: 0001-6357

: 1502-3850

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2020.1776384

: https://helda.helsinki.fi/bitstream/10138/330899/1/Manuscript_AM.pdf

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine, if a dental panoramic tomograph (DPT) is appropriate for every young adult due to third molars.
Materials and methods: The study sample consisted of 217 university students (20% men and 80% women; mean age 20.7 years; SD +/- 0.6 years) and included a questionnaire about symptoms caused by third molars, clinical oral examination of third molars, and a DPT. Subjects were divided into the following groups: subjects with a clinical indication for a DPT and subjects without such indication. The DPTs were then examined for findings regarding third molars. Results: Clinical indication for a DPT was observed in 64% of the subjects. Radiography revealed an additional 1.4% of the subjects with >= 1 radiographic signs of disease in relation to their third molars. Also, an additional 27% of the subjects had >= 1 other radiographic findings in relation to third molars that may have affected the clinical decision making.
Conclusions: In our study population, clinically undetectable pathology cannot be considered as an indication for a DPT. However, if prevailing clinical practice supports preventive removals and detecting or monitoring of unerupted third molars, a referral to DPT can be considered as good clinical practice.