RELIABILITY OF FRANKFURT MANDIBULAR ANGLE MEASUREMENT ON PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHIES CONSIDERING SOME PATIENT POSITION VARIATIONS

Dentists frequently recommend panoramic radiographs (PR). Facial divergence is an indicator of the growth pattern, in relation to bite force and possible evolution of the VDO (vertical dimension of occlusion) over time. Materials and methods: Our study compared the measurement of the Frankfurt-mandibular plane angle (FMA) on the panoramic x-rays with the angle value measured on the profile tele-radiographs (lateral cephalograms). We have considered possible positioning errors caused by different head tilts while taking the PR. Results: Radiographs taken in disocclusion increased the determined FMA value by approximately 2° (2.28°). Conclusions: Even with some acceptable patient's head tiltings and small positional asymmetries, the FMA measurements on the panoramic radiographs could be considered reliable.