LOWER INCISORS’ PROCLINATION ASSESSMENT ON PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHY

Aim of the study: The evaluation of the lower incisors proclination before orthodontic treatments is classically done on profile teleradiography, usually used in orthodontics, but it is also important in the diagnosis and treatment of complex cases by prosthodontists and periodontists. The present study analysed a method to evaluate the incisor proclination based exclusively on panoramic radiography, commonly present at the beginning of any treatment. Materials and methods: We deduced a mathematical formula for determining the proclination of the lower incisors based on the ratio of the incisor to premolar’s image. The theoretically proposed calculation formula was then verified on a sample of n=104 cases. Results: The statistical results showed that the formula offered consistent results to the condition that the positioning error by tilting the head is limited (to the range of 0-10 degrees = 86.475% and for a tilt of 0-5 degrees = 95.45%). The values obtained were not dependent on the type of OPG (occlusion or disocclusion) (Sig=0.705). Conclusions: Further research studies on larger groups with various positioning errors and diversified growth patterns would be necessary to validate and improve this method.