Preoperative evaluation of third molar root characteristics: Correlation between clinical and radiographic findings

• Published in: Revista odonto ciência 2015, Vol.30 (4)
• Main Authors: Har da Silva Machado, Heloisa, Braga Xavier, Cristina, Feres Damian, Melissa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0102-9460; 1980-6523
• DOI: 10.15448/1980-6523.2015.4.14162

Abstract Purpose: In this study, periapical and panoramic radiographic tests were compared to the clinical examination (after extraction, gold standard) to verify their accuracy in identifying number of roots, root morphology, and presence of root dilaceration in impacted third molars. Methods: In total, 98 third molars were extracted (50 maxillary, 48 mandibular). Three dental surgeons and one radiologist were calibrated to analyze the root characteristics before (radiography) and after extraction. Agreement between clinical and radiographic findings was analyzed with weighted kappa (?) statistics. Correlation between radiographic and clinical data was assessed using Spearman correlation test. A 5% significance level was set for all analyses. Results: Upper teeth with single/fused roots and lower teeth with two roots were predominant. Higher agreement and correlation for number of roots and root morphology was observed for periapical (?=0.258-0.612; R2=0.463-0.612; P