Frequency of Pericoronal Radiolucency in Impacted Teeth: A Panoramic Radiography Study

Abstract

Aim All permanent teeth can remain impacted. Impacted teeth can remain in the jaw for years without showing any symptoms and causing a pathological event, and they can also cause neuralgiform pain, infection, teinporomandibular joint complaints, root resorption in neighboring teeth, and pathologies. Pericoronal radiolucency observed over 2.5 mm in radiographic imaging is suspicious. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of pericoronal radiolucency in impacted teeth examined on panoramic radiographs. Methods The study was conducted by retrospectively examining panoramic radiographs of 1128 patients (633 females, 495 males) over the age of 18. Permanent impacted teeth with complete root development were included in the study, and primary teeth, mesiodens, supernumerary and supplemental impacted teeth were excluded from the study. Pericoronal radiolucency was recorded as 'present' in case of pericoronal radiolucency (>3 mm) associated with impacted permanent tooth on panoramic radiographs. SPSS v.21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) program was used to analyze the data. Results The mean age of the individuals included in the study was 31±11 years (18-85). A total of 2247 impacted teeth from 1128 individuals were evaluated. Pericoronal radiolucency was detected in 208 impacted teeth (9.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and the frequency of pericoronal radiolucency (p<0.05). The frequency of pericoronal radiolucency is lower in females and individuals over 60 years of age. Conclusion The frequency of pericoronal radiolucency associated with impacted teeth is 9.3%. This condition is more likely to be seen on radiographic examinations in males and individuals under 60 years of age. It is recommended that teeth that have erupted but are not located in the arch in clinical examination should be carefully examined radiologically in order to detect them at an early pathological stage and to make appropriate treatment.

Keywords

• pericoronal radiolucency
• Impacted tooth
• panoramic radiography

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