Evaluation of submandibular fossa using computed tomography and panoramic radiography

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the correlation between the depth of the submandibular fossa (SF) using computed tomography (CT) and the visibility of the SF and mandibular canal (MC) on panoramic images. Eighty-six CT scans and panoramic radiographs were assessed. The appearance of the SF and the corticalization of the MC were evaluated on panoramic radiographs. The depth of the SF was measured using cross-sectional CT images. The average SF depth was 1.99 +/- A 0.94 mm (mean +/- A standard deviation). The SF region appeared as a radiolucent area in most hemimandibles (64 %). The corticalization of the MC was observed in 59 % of hemimandibles. The radiolucent appearance of the SF region and the corticalization of the MC on panoramic radiographs were not statistically correlated with the type of SF (P > 0.05). Our results showed that the depth of the SF was > 2 mm in 45 % of patients and that panoramic radiographs are not reliable for determination of the depth of the SF.