Craniofacial Diagnostic Imaging

Bony Impaction Tomography

Localizing a mesiodens or a supernumerary tooth or any other impacted tooth on a panographic film can be difficult in certain cases. It is important to know whether it lies buccal or lingual to the apices of the adjacent teeth. This information would result in the correct use of a palatal approach rather than the ibuccal surgical approach.

This panoramic film revealed a supernumerary tooth next to the apices of teeth 5 and 6. The question is whether to use a buccal or palatal surgical approach to remove it. Periapical or occlusal radiographs taken from different angles are inconclusive.

A simple, localized, cross-sectional tomogram between teeth 5 and 6, provides a definitive answer and shows the surgical approach should be from the palatal side in this patient.

CDI questions? Call (585) 427-2510 .