Investigation of Type of Pre-surgery Radiographic of Mandibular Third Molar among General Dentists in Isfahan

Radiography prior to surgery or extraction of the mandibular third molar tooth is clinically useful in treatment planning of surgery. In this study, methodology of radiography prior to surgery was investigated. In this cross-sectional study, an observer randomly visited 20 dental clinics throughout Isfahan. Data, including dentists, patients and type of radiography of mandibular third molars, were collected. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20, using descriptive statistics as well Spearman’s and Pierson’s correlation coefficients (α = 0.05). A total of 200 cases were investigated, with 103 male and 97 female subjects. Of all the cases, 31 cases (15.5%) were without radiography, 6 cases underwent CBCT examinations (3%), 50 cases had panoramic radiographs (25%), 85 cases underwent periapical radiography (42.5%) and 28 cases (14%) underwent periapical-panoramic radiography prior to surgery of third molars. A total of 80 cases (40%) underwent coronectomy and 120 teeth (60%) underwent full tooth removal surgery. There was a significant relationship between the surgical technique and radiography (p value < 0.001). The most commonly used radiographic technique was intraoral periapical radiography. In all cases that underwent CBCT examination, coronectomy was performed and in all the cases with both intraoral periapical radiography and panoramic radiography coronectomy was carried out.