Journal of Oral Implantology February 2012 - (Page 27)

RESEARCH Detection of the Mandibular Canal and the Mental Foramen in Panoramic Radiographs: Intraexaminer Agreement Jamil A. Shibli, DDS, PhD1 ´ Marılia C. Martins, DDS, PhD2 Leonor C. M. Loffredo, PhD3 Gulnara Scaf, DDS, PhD4* The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraexaminer agreement in the detection of the mandibular canal roof (MCR) and mental foramen (MF) in panoramic radiographs. Forty panoramic radiographs of edentulous patients were used. Two calibrated examiners (A and B) read the images 2 times, for both sides independently, under blind conditions. The interval between the readings was 10 days. The intraexaminer agreement in the interpretation of MCR and MF was performed by kappa statistics with linear weighting (k). The intraexaminer agreement for the detection of MCR, in the left side, was good for both examiners (A: k 5 0.67; B: k 5 0.71). Related to the right side, it was found to be k 5 0.47 and k 5 0.62, respectively to A and B. The intraexaminer agreement for the detection of MF was good for both examiners interpreting the left side (A: k 5 0.61; B: k 5 0.63), and in relation to the right side, it was moderate (A: k 5 0.51) and fair (B: k 5 0.38). The intraexaminer agreement in the detection of MCR was good and from good to fair in the detection of MF. Key Words: radiography, panoramic, mandible, mandibular nerve, reproducibility of results INTRODUCTION he treatment protocol for replacing teeth with dental implants requires radiographic imaging before implant placement.1–3 Radiographic examination is an important part of implant surgery. It is primarily 1 Department of Periodontology, Dental Research ˜ Division, Guarulhos University, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 2 Department of Stomatology, Health Sciences Center, ´, Federal University of Parana Curitiba, Brazil. 3 Department of Social Dentistry, Araraquara Dental ˜ ˜ School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil. 4 Department of Oral Diagnosis and Surgery, Arara˜ quara Dental School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, ˜o Sa Paulo, Brazil. *Corresponding author, e-mail: scaf@foar.unesp.br DOI: 10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-09-00103.1 T used to locate anatomic structures and to evaluate bone quality and quantity; it is also indicated for postsurgical follow-up.4 During the implant treatment planning, it is important to determine anatomic landmarks such as the mandibular canal5,6 and mental foramen7 in the posterior edentulous mandible to avoid damage to the nerve or a vascular trauma which may result in paresthesia of the lower lip and chin.7,8 Panoramic radiography is widely prescribed for implant planning because it provides an overview, giving a broad coverage of the facial bones and teeth, which is useful in the initial evaluation.3,9,10 Other advantages of panoramic radiography are Journal of Oral Implantology 27

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Journal of Oral Implantology February 2012

A Fluent Electronic Support and Clinical Care Letters: New Formats and More Interactivity Between Journal of Oral Implantology and Its Readers
Dental Implants Immediate Loading Versus the Standard 2-Staged Protocol: An Experimental Study in Dogs
Correlation Between Surface Hydrophilicity and Osteoblastic Differentiation on Microgrooved Titanium Substrata
Analyzing the Effects of the Platform-Switching Procedure on Stresses in the Bone and Implant-Abutment Complex by 3-Dimensional Fem Analysis
Detection of the Mandibular Canal and the Mental Foramen in Panoramic Radiographs: Intraexaminer Agreement
Use of Intraoral Welding to Stabilize Dental Implants in Augmented Sites for Immediate Provisionalization: A Case Report
Maxillary Sinus Augmentation With Autogenous Tibial Bone Graft as an In-Office Procedure
Influence of Prognostic Risk Indicators on Osseointegrated Dental Implant Failure: A Matched Case-Control Analysis
Full Mouth Rehabilitation With Dental Implants for a Patient With Skeletal Class III Malocclusion: A Case Report
Removal of Fractured Implants Using the Apicoectomy Technique and Immediate Replacement With New Implants: Case Report
Reconstruction of a Patient With Rosai-Dorfman Disease Using Ramus Graft and Osseointegrated Implants: A Case Report
Immediate Loading in Mandible Full-Arch: Pilot Study in Patients With Osteoporosis in Bisphosphonate Therapy
Natural Tooth Versus Implant: A Key to Treatment Planning

Journal of Oral Implantology February 2012