Assessment of efficacy of digital panoramic radiography as a diagnostic tool for evaluating general bone density

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of digital panoramic radiography as a diagnostic tool in detecting general skeletal bone density and to compare its accuracy with a DEXA scan. Methodology: Seventy persons of age 50 years and above, scheduled to undergo DEXA scan and willing to participate in this study, were taken for panoramic radiography. Densitometric values were compared between DEXA scan and digital panoramic radiography, and collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Statistical significant difference (P-value < 0.05) was found between normal and osteopenic/osteoporotic persons. No statistically significant difference (P-value > 0.05) in the values was observed between DEXA scan and digital panoramic radiography groups. Conclusion: Based on the outcomes, it was concluded that general skeletal bone density could be favourably assessed in the mandible using densitometric analysis with digital panoramic radiography.