Assessment of maxillary impacted canines using panoramic radiograph and cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Aim: compare the labio-palatal position of maxillary impacted canines (MICs) on CBCT and their mesiodistal position on panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: This retrospective radiographic study reviewed 70 radiographs with MICs (40 bilaterally and 30 unilateral). Radiographs with, odontoma, mesiodenses, or cleft lip and palate were excluded. The mesiodistal position of the MICs was classified into four sectors on panoramic radiograph while their labiopalatal position were evaluated on CBCT. The correlation between panoramic sectors location and CBCT results was examined using the chi-square test. Results: Labial positioned MICs on CBCT were more frequent in panoramic sector 1, while palatally positioned MICs were more frequent in sectors 4. The association between sectors of the MICs on panoramic images and the labio-palatal position of the MICs on CBCT was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study showed that, sector location on panoramic radiographs might be used for prediction of labiopalatal position of MICs.