title: Reliability of Panoramic Radiographs in the Localization of Mandibular Foramen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluated the reliability and accuracy of panoramic radiographs in the localization of mandibular foramen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty five Indian dry human adult mandibles constituted the study material. Ten measurements were carried on each of them to evaluate the location of mandibular foramen with respect to adjacent anatomic landmarks. Panoramic radiographs were then made of the mandibles. Same distances were measured on the traced images of the radiographs. Paired t-test and Pearson's correlation test were applied to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of panoramic radiographs in localization of mandibular foramen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean distances measured on dry mandibles and panoramic radiographs showed statistically significant difference (p<0.05). There was strong positive correlation between the measurements on dry mandible and panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The panoramic radiographs can serve as a guide in locating the anterosuperior point of mandibular foramen on panoramic radiographs.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College , Mysore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Karthikeya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, JSS Dental College , Mysore, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Mahima V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Guledgud
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Haldia Institute of Dental sciences and Research , Haldia, West Bengal, India .
authors.forename: Preeti Tomar
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
keywords: Mandible; Osteotomy; Panoramic machine