Comparative evaluation of the accuracy of panoramic imaging and lateral cephalometrics by measurement of the right and left gonial angles

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment planning is complex and requires the ability to simultaneously analyze multiple data obtained from different orthodontic diagnostic records. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning depend on data derived from diagnostic aids such as clinical examinations, study models, and the relevant radiographs. Among which Lateral cephalography and panoramic radiography are important tools for treatment planning and are often recommended to orthodontic patients. The gonial angle is an important parameter for determining the growth pattern of an individual, assessing the growth pattern of an individual, rotation of the mandible and the extraction pattern in class II patients. Lateral cephalogram makes it difficult to reliably measure the gonial angle in an individual instead of using lateral cephalogram for measuring gonial angle, panoramic radiography can be used for determining the gonial angle more accurately. Objective: The aim of this present study was to evaluate the accuracy of panoramic imaging and lateral cephalometrics with respect to the measurement of the right and left gonial angles by comparing the measured angles. Materials and methodology: The study was conducted using the Lateral Cephalograms and Orthopantanomograms of 90 patients (30 males and 60 females) were obtained Cephalometric landmarks were located, identified, and marked on the selected radiograph using a 2H pencil. On both radiographs, ramal angle was constructed. Results: The study sample consisted of lateral cephalograms and panoramic radiographs of 90 patients (30 females and 60 males; mean age, 23±3.5 years) with skeletal class I malocclusion. The mean value of the gonial angle measured using the lateral cephalograms was 123.12, and that of the gonial angle measured using the panoramic radiographs was 122.75°. No statistically significant difference was found between the gonial angle measured using lateral cephalograms and that using panoramic radiographs ((p=0.1). Conclusion: The present study concludes that there seems to be no significant difference in gonial angle between two radiographs. There seems to be a difference in gonial angle with gender groups, but not significant and definitively reliable. As per present study Panoramic radiography can be used to determine the gonial angle as accurately as a lateral cephalogram as there are no significant differences in the gonial angle values as measured on cephalogram and OPG