Assessment of 3,031 panoramic radiographs in an urban Turkish population: a community survey

Objectives  The present study was performed to assess the total and average numbers of radiopaque restorations, missing or impacted teeth, root-canal fillings, crown-fixed partial dentures, and implants in 3,031 radiographs of patients with respect to age and gender in an urban Turkish population. Methods  In total, 3,031 panoramic radiographs were examined. The study included all patients examined at the Faculty of Dentistry, Baskent University, Turkey. The total and average numbers of radiopaque restorations, missed or impacted teeth, root-canal fillings, crown-fixed partial dentures, and implants were assessed. The patients were categorized into two groups with respect to age and gender. The patients were further divided into four subgroups with respect to age (14–30, 31–45, 46–60, and >60 years), each of which was evaluated separately. Results  Molar teeth were the most frequently restored or missing teeth. The number of posterior restorations increased with age up to 45 but seemed to decrease in the 46–60 and over 60-year-old subgroups. However, the number of missing teeth, and thus fixed partial dentures, and root-canal treatments increased in these subgroups. The number of implants increased with age. Although women had more restored teeth, they also had fewer missing teeth. The total number of restorations on the right side of the mouth was higher than that on the left side. Conclusion  This study revealed the oral condition of an urban Turkish population. Future multicenter studies conducted periodically will help evaluate the parameters mentioned above regarding the oral-health status of the Turkish population and quality of the dental-care system in Turkey.