Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of positive radiographic findings in panoramic radiographs of edentulous arches. Material and Methods: It was examined panoramic radiographies of 106 patients who had edentulous arches and 60 years and over , attending to the Oral Diagnosis and Radiology Clinic of the Dental School of the University of Süleyman Demirel. The radiographs were evaluated for the following clinically significant radiographic findings: retained root fragments, impacted teeth, radiolucencies associated with cysts, radiopacities associated with localized sclerotic bone formation, location of the mental foramen on the crest, and location of the maxillary sinus close to the crest of the ridge. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The most frequent finding was mental foramen situated at the top of the residual ridge. In 51 patients, the mental foramen was situated at the top of the residual ridge. Of these patients, 38 patients had a bilateral mental foramen close to the crest of the ridge. Twenty-seven subjects had 31 submucosal or intrabony root remains, 20 of which were located in the maxilla. Conclusions: Routine panoramic examination of the jaws is necessary to detect impacted teeth, retained root fragments, and other radiographic findings that may require treatment before construction of complete dentures. Key words: Panoramic radiography; tooth impacted; maxillary sinus; tooth root.

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