title: Significance of pre-treatment panoramic radiographic assessment of edentulous patients--a survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to review the significance of pre-treatment panoramic radiographic assessment of edentulous patients, in the dental patient population of Haryana, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study a total of 525 completely edentulous patients were selected randomly. A panoramic radiograph was taken using Panoramic machine (Rotagraph plus) and all the radiographs were evaluated by 2 oral radiology specialists for the following clinically significant radiographic findings: retained root fragments, embedded teeth, radiolucencies, radiopacities and location of the mental foramen at the crest of the residual alveolar ridge. The data were analyzed using the chi square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 245 radiographic findings were seen in 168 (32%) patients. Out of total 525 cases 16.4% (n=86) patients had submucosal or intrabony root stumps, 4.8% (n=25) had embedded teeth, 2.5% (n=13) had radiolucencies, 9.9% (n=52) had radiopacities and 1.7% (n=9) had mental foramen at the crest of the residual alveolar ridge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that Routine radiographic examination of completely edentulous patients is critical before construction of complete denture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Rayat Bahra Dental College & Hospital, Mohali, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Sanjeev-Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Soheyl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Anshu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic