Barrientos-Sánchez, Silvia; Velosa-Porras, Juliana; Rodríguez-Ciódaro, Adriana
Summary
The oral cavity is susceptible to alterations of diverse nature that present variable epidemiological patterns. Caries and periodontal disease are recognized as having the highest prevalence, but thereare less data on other abnormalities that affect bone structures and teeth. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of radiographic findings suggestive of pathology in 10,000 digital panoramic images of adults, obtained at different radiology centers in Bogotá. Radiographs were collected from patients over 18 years of age, with a low degree of distortion, with complete structures, and adequate contrast and density to allow the reading of the variables to be studied. Most of the radiographs belong to female patients, and their average age is 39 years. Partial edentulism is the most prevalent finding affecting 61 % of the group, followed by the presence of endodontic treatments with 45 % and thirdly the dental inclusions 24.1 %. Other findings corroborate that the apical lesions are the cystic lesions with a higher prevalence and an increase in rehabilitation with fixed prostheses and implants. This study reflects the effects of caries and periodontal disease that affect the population studied and its main consequence is the partial edentulism that affects all age groups examined. Endodontics, suggestive of pulpal pathology, is also of high prevalence and a large percentage associated with apical lesions, but in general the study suggests the need for adult prevention programs to meet the goals of the World Health Organization with a view to reducing tooth loss.
KEY WORDS: Ora pathology, epidemiology, radiology.
How to cite this article
BARRIENTOS, S. S.; VELOSA, P. J. & RODRÍGUEZ, C. A. An epidemiological approach to oral pathologies from a radiology perspective. Int. J. Odontostomat., 12(1):43-50, 2018.