title: Visualisation of the mandibular canal by different radiographic techniques.
abstract: 6 mandibles were radiographically examined bilaterally to visualise the mandibular canal. 5 imaging techniques were used: periapical radiography, panoramic radiography, hypocycloidal tomography, spiral tomography and computed tomography (CT). Panoramic radiographs were obtained with 2 different X-ray machines. The CT-examinations comprised direct images and standard reconstructions based on axial slices. The specimens were subsequently sectioned for contact radiography. The visibility of the mandibular canal was estimated by 3 observers at special reference points on all radiographs and classified as clearly visible, questionable visibility or not visible. The contact radiographs served as the "gold standard". The inter-observer and the intra-observer agreement were assessed by calculating the overall agreement and the x value. Direct coronal computed tomography, as well as spiral and hypocycloidal tomography, gave better visualisation of the mandibular canal than periapical and panoramic radiography.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Radiology and Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petersson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klinge
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015588:Observer Variation; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed