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Visibility of Maxillary and Mandibular Anatomical Landmarks in Digital Panoramic Radiographs: A Retrospective Study

Srisha Basappa, Smitha JD, Nishath Khanum, Santosh Kanwar, Mahesh MS and Archana Patil

Aims: To determine frequency, visibility and gender variation of pterygomaxillary fissure, incisive foramen, mental foramen, mandibular canal, anterior loop of mental nerveand elongated styloid process in different age groups. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 200 ortopantomographs (OPG) which was taken using digital Sirona machine. The maxillary and mandibular anatomical land marks were analysed and scores were recorded. Results: A total of 200 OPGs were analysed. Pterygomaxillary fissure was visible in 58%. Incisive foramen showed good visibility in 25%. Mental foramen showed good visibility in 77%, mandibular canal was visible in 74% on OPG. Anterior looping was perceptible in 20% of cases. Elongated styloid process was visible in 25% of cases. Gender does not exert effect on the appearance of the anatomical structures and the study also revealed significant statistical difference between visibilities of anterior looping, which was better in males as compared to females. Conclusion: Orthopantomographs provided sufficient information of mental foramen and mandibular canal and are reliable to visualise pterygomaxillary fissure. But for better visualization, detection of structures like incisive foramen anterior looping and elongated styloid process for performing surgery, for implant placement in this region it may require to be replaced with three-dimensional imaging like cone-beam computed tomography.