Perception of Radiographic Parameters of the Mandibular Third Molar by Clinicians with Different Level of Experience

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether perceptions of radiographic factors related to the mandibular third molar vary according to the grade of clinician. Methods: One hundred panoramic tomographs were scored for mandibular third molar spatial position, and the interface with bone, root morphology and proximity to the inferior alveolar canal, by a senior surgeon. The scorings were repeated by another senior surgeon, two residents at different grades and a general dental practitioner. The level of agreement between scores was determined. Results: The other examiners reached fair to excellent agreement with scoring by the ‘reference’ senior surgeon on most of the radiographic variables investigated, among which ‘intimate relationship of third molar to inferior alveolar canal’ and ‘shape of roots’ were the variables where least agreement was recorded. Compared to the other examiners, the scorings of the general dental practitioner were in least agreement. Conclusions: There was more agreement in the interpretation of variables between clinicians at higher grades of expertise. However, there were inconsistencies in a number of areas where levels of agreement were not related to the grade of clinical expertise