https://doi.org/10.65770/RPBG4466
ABSTRACTÂ
Impacted teeth are common in oral surgery and orthodontics, and their management depends on accurate localization, assessment of adjacent structures, and estimation of treatment difficulty. This review summarizes the role of oral radiology in the treatment of impacted teeth and discusses how imaging aids in surgical and orthodontic decision-making while balancing diagnostic benefit against radiation exposure. Conventional two-dimensional imaging remains the first-line approach for many impacted teeth because it is widely available and often adequate for initial assessment. Its main limitation is poor visualization of the spatial relationship of the impacted teeth to cortical plates and nearby vital structures, especially the inferior alveolar nerve and adjacent roots. CBCT addresses these shortcomings by providing three-dimensional assessment of tooth position, angulation, anatomical relationships, and probable surgical difficulty, and it appears particularly useful when panoramic findings suggest proximity to the mandibular canal, when maxillary canine impaction is complex, or when root resorption is suspected. MRI is an emerging radiation-free option that can display impacted teeth and surrounding structures, but current evidence remains limited, protocols are not standardized, and artefacts or hardware constraints can reduce feasibility. Current evidence supports a stepwise imaging strategy in which the least arduous modality capable of answering the clinical question is used first, and advanced imaging is reserved for justified complex cases. Oral radiology improves diagnosis, guides treatment planning, helps anticipate complications, and supports multidisciplinary care.
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