Role of orthopantomography in diagnosis and treatment planning of fracture mandible Paramjit1, Sr. Lecturer, Ahluwalia T. P. S.2, Principal 1Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar (Punjab). 2National Dental College & Hospital, Gulabgarh, Dera Bassi (Punjab). Address for Correspondence: Paramjit, Sr. Lecturer, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Punjab Government Dental College and Hospital, Amritsar (Punjab) e-mail: rajkajla2002@gmail.com.
Abstract Aims and objectives To evaluate the panoramic radiographs taken with single exposure for detection of mandible fractures as compared with conventional radiographs. To evaluate the reliability of panoramic radiographs for the detection of fractures of the mandible. Material and methods Fifty patients with evidence of fractured mandible were included in the present study. The diagnostic accuracy of panoramic and conventional radiographs were compared for the fracture lines in terms of visibility i.e. “with full extent”, “traceable” and “not visible”. The degree of fractured segments in terms of “undisplaced”, “minimally displaced” and “considerably displaced” was also noted. Observations and results All fracture lines which were visible “with full extent” on panoramic radiograph gave 98.77% reliability as compared to conventional radiographs which showed 87.65% reliability. The amount of displacement in terms of separation or overriding of fragments was more clearly visible on panoramic radiographs as compared to conventional radiographs. Conclusion Orthopantomography is superior to the conventional radiography in diagnosis and treatment planning of fractured mandible and should substitute the conventional extra –oral radiographs. Top Keywords OPG, fracture mandible, panoramic zonography, conventional x-ray. Top |