Incidental dentomaxillofacial findings on cone beam computed tomography images of Iranian population

The present study aimed to assess the nature and prevalence of incidental findings in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of oral and maxillofacial patients. In this cross-sectional study, 773 CBCT samples were retrieved from archives of a private oral and maxillofacial radiology center. Any findings that were not related to the reason of CBCT request was recorded in forms designed originally for this study. 475 patients out of 773 had at least one incidental finding. It composed about 60% of the patients. The largest frequency of incidental findings were cases of periapical lesions. (n = 189), followed by mucous thickening of maxillary sinus (n = 170), retained root (n = 32), impaction and 3rd molar (n = 26). Other incidental findings were torus (n = 25), dental anomalies (n = 13), vertical root fracture (n = 5), intra bony lesion and periapical pathosis (n = 4) and the lowest frequency was sialoliths (n = 1). About half of the subjects have had at least one incidental finding, so the precise review of the CBCT images seems to be necessary.