title: Mesiodistal root angulation using panoramic and cone beam CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the panoramic projection can accurately determine mesiodistal root angulations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A plaster study model of the dentition of each of five patients was prepared. A radiographic stent containing radiopaque markers was fabricated for each of the models. Panoramic and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were taken on each patient with the radiographic stent seated on the dentition. Root angulations for each of the radiographic images were measured and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Root angulation was measured by three independent individuals and good reliability between measurements was demonstrated. Compared to plaster model measurements (the gold standard), the CBCT scan produced very accurate measurements of root angulation. Compared to CBCT images, panoramic projections did not provide reliable data on root angulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Panoramic images did not accurately represent the mesiodistal root angulations on clinical patients.
authors.affiliation: ajpeck4057@aol.com
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.forename: Glenn T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Sameshima
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Worth
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Hatcher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003765:Models, Dental; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*