OBJECTIVE: This methodological study aimed to determine whether the mandibular trabecular bone assessment from panoramic radiographs, using a visual index, corresponds to the evaluation obtained from periapical radiographs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A panoramic radiograph and corresponding periapical radiographs of the region of the lower premolars and molars were collected from each of 32 patients (mean age 18.5 +/- 5.5 years). Two calibrated observers assessed randomly the interdental sites between the first molar and second premolar and between the two premolars on all the radiographs using a visual index. Evaluations were repeated with an interval of 60 days. The results of the repeated evaluations were used to assess intra- and inter-observer agreements, employing Kappa statistics. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the association between assessments of panoramic and periapical radiographs. RESULTS: In total, 79 interdental sites were evaluated on the panoramic and periapical radiographs. The visual analysis of periapical radiographs revealed intra-observer agreements of 0.88 for observer 1 and 0.93 for observer 2, and an inter-observer agreement of 0.82. The intra-observer agreement for panoramic radiographs was 0.79 and 0.83 for observers 1 and 2, respectively, and the inter-observer agreement was 0.79. A substantial correlation was found between periapical and panoramic radiographs (rho = 0.737, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although panoramic radiographs are less reliable than periapical radiographs, they can be used for assessment of the trabecular bone pattern with the aid of a visual index. Training on the method is recommended to obtain results with a high reproducibility.
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