Assessment of periapical status: A comparative study using film-based periapical radiographs and digital panoramic images

Abstract

Aim: To compare the use of film-based periapical radiographs and digital panoramic images displayed on monitor and glossy paper in the assessment of the periapical status of the teeth. Methodology: A total of 86 subjects were examined. All participants underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey (14 periapical radiographs) and a digital panoramic radiography. The periapical status of all appraised teeth was assessed. Results: Periapical radiographs allowed the assessment of the periapical status of a significantly higher percentage of teeth (87.4%) Digital radiography had a significantly reduced potential to allow assessment of the periapical status (p<0.01). Only 58.0% and 34.3% of teeth could be appraised using digital panoramic images displayed on monitor and glossy paper respectively (p<0.01). The total percentage of teeth with periapical pathosis was four-fold higher when assessed with digital panoramic images displayed on glossy paper compared with periapical radiographs (p<0.01). Conclusions: Periapical radiographs allowed the assessment of a significantly higher percentage of teeth when comparing to digital radiography, which had a significantly lower potency in the assessment of periapical status of the teeth. Digital panoramic images displayed on a monitor resulted in a significantly higher percentage of appraised teeth compared to digital images displayed on glossy paper. Apical periodontitis was scored more often on paper than on screen, and more often on screen than in periapical radiographs.

Tobacco Smoking and Radiographic Periapical Status: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

“…PAI was first described for periapical radiographs (17), but numerous epidemiologic studies have used this index for panoramic radiographs (25-30) or a combination of panoramic radiographs and periapical radiographs (31)(32)(33)(34). It has been reported that panoramic digital images achieve significantly higher percentages of teeth with PAI scoring $3 (29,35,36). On the contrary, other investigators have found that an underestimation of lesions occurred when panoramic radiography was used (31,(37)(38)(39).…”

Periapical and Endodontic Status of Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Catalonia, Spain: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Other epidemiological studies have also used panoramic radiographs and the PAI scoring system to evaluate the periapical status (24)(25)(26)(27)(28). Periapical areas of all the teeth, excluding only third molars, were radiographically evaluated.…”

Relationship between Smoking and Endodontic Variables in Hypertensive Patients

“…The following information was recorded on a structured form for each subject: (1) number of teeth present, (2) number and location of teeth without root fillings (untreated teeth) with identifiable periapical lesions, (3) number and location of root-filled teeth, and (4) number and location of root-filled teeth with identifiable periapical lesions. The periapical status was assessed by using the periapical index (PAI) (17), as described previously (18,19). One observer (an endodontist with 12 years of clinical experience) examined the radiographs.…”