The accuracy of dental panoramic tomographs in determining the root morphology of mandibular third molar teeth before surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of dental panoramic tomograph (DPT) in the presurgical assessment of mandibular third molar teeth by correlating the radiologic interpretation with surgical findings.


METHODS
DPTs of 300 mandibular third molar teeth were assessed by 9 staff oral surgeons for root morphology and proximity to the inferior alveolar neurovascular bundle. Detailed records were made at surgery.


RESULTS
The sensitivity and specificity for observation of root curvatures (+/-15%) were 29% and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of determining an intimate relationship between the root and the neurovascular bundle were 66% and 74%, respectively. Kappa analysis demonstrated poor levels of agreement between radiologic interpretation and surgical findings when the number of roots was determined (0.191) and also when the roots were fused or separate (0.466).


CONCLUSIONS
Using DPTs to assess mandibular third molar teeth before surgery gives poor diagnostic accuracy of anatomic form and structures.
Bell
Garmon W
GW
Staf Grade Oral Surgeons, Maxillofacial Surgery, Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, UK. gary.bell@ncumbria-acute.nhs.uk
Rodgers
Jennifer M
JM
Grime
Rebecca J
RJ
Edwards
Kelly L
KL
Hahn
Michael R
MR
Dorman
Matthew L
ML
Keen
Wendy D
WD
Stewart
Duncan J C
DJ
Hampton
Nicholas
N
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D006801:Humans; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*