Non-Cochrane · prognostic · PM42782538
Incidental findings from panoramic radiographs: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Imboden-Ilia Anastasia, Awaad Heba, Inglezos Emmanouil, et al. · Clinical oral investigations · 2026 · PubMed · doi:10.1007/s00784-026-07148-4
Findings
Population Dental patients receiving panoramic radiographs
77 findings
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; opacity | Prevalence (%) 1.57 [1.12, 2.19] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 2108 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Enamel pearl | Prevalence (%) 0.85 [0.17, 4.10] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 4897 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Transposition | Prevalence (%) 0.15 [0.03, 0.81] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 48453 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Root resorption | Prevalence (%) 0.85 [0.39, 1.83] GRADE not reported 7 studies · 12581 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Osteosynthesis material | Prevalence (%) 1.05 [0.83, 1.32] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 6502 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Amelogenesis imperfecta | Prevalence (%) 0.13 [0.02, 0.75] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 46650 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; hypoplasia | Prevalence (%) 0.19 [0.09, 0.39] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 3743 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Cementoblastoma | Prevalence (%) 0.43 [0.19, 0.96] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1386 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Sensitivity analysis: study sample size 1001–2000 patients | Prevalence (%) 35.80 [5.82, 83.40] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: tooth shape anomaly | Prevalence (%) 2.85 [0.39, 18.06] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 45470 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Visiting public health clinic | Prevalence (%) 33.60 [10.24, 69.18] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1488 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Sensitivity analysis: study sample size 0–200 patients | Prevalence (%) 58.40 [39.33, 75.26] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Osseous lesion | Prevalence (%) 2.19 [0.19, 20.62] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1022 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; vascular plaque | Prevalence (%) 3.65 [2.93, 4.54] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 2108 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; sialolith | Prevalence (%) 0.20 [0.03, 1.39] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 10116 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Hypercementosis | Prevalence (%) 1.43 [0.35, 5.69] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1033 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Seeking pedodontic treatment | Prevalence (%) 16.76 [14.91, 18.78] GRADE not reported 1 study · 1432 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding | Prevalence (%) 36.70 [22.90, 53.08] GRADE not reported 19 studies · 61627 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Radiolucency | Prevalence (%) 3.65 [0.20, 41.77] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 6953 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: airway findings | Prevalence (%) 30.86 [2.16, 90.03] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 3120 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; inflammation | Prevalence (%) 0.52 [0.09, 3.07] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 2539 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Children | Prevalence (%) 52.71 [28.80, 75.43] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 2676 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Tooth ectopia | Prevalence (%) 0.25 [0.09, 0.70] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 48495 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Periapical lesion / rarefying osteitis | Prevalence (%) 5.32 [1.37, 18.48] GRADE not reported 9 studies · 6618 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding 3rd molar extraction | Prevalence (%) 53.72 [44.81, 62.40] GRADE not reported 1 study · 121 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Talon cusp | Prevalence (%) 0.17 [0.03, 1.05] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 46448 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; mucosal thickening | Prevalence (%) 2.54 [0.78, 7.99] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 3307 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Dense bone island / osteosclerosis | Prevalence (%) 3.91 [1.70, 8.73] GRADE not reported 9 studies · 12832 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Cyst; bone | Prevalence (%) 0.51 [0.11, 2.27] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1856 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Dens invaginatus | Prevalence (%) 0.11 [0.02, 0.54] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 47623 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: vertebrae findings | Prevalence (%) 7.41 [0.34, 65.11] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1364 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Condyle; hyperplasia | Prevalence (%) 0.32 [0.16, 0.63] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 2539 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; tonsilolith | Prevalence (%) 2.68 [0.98, 7.12] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 10116 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Radiopacity | Prevalence (%) 7.14 [3.22, 15.11] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 8030 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Seeking dental treatment | Prevalence (%) 50.37 [17.27, 83.14] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 53732 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; carotid artery | Prevalence (%) 1.00 [0.18, 5.48] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1558 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Sensitivity analysis: study sample size 201–500 patients | Prevalence (%) 20.70 [4.51, 59.08] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Retained root | Prevalence (%) 5.27 [0.33, 48.00] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 3288 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Meta-regression: Male % | Meta-regression coefficient -0.46 [-1.50, 0.58] GRADE not reported 16 studies |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Cyst; radicular | Prevalence (%) 0.41 [0.07, 2.58] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 2480 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Patients referred for temporomandibular joint disorders | Prevalence (%) 88.3 [77.5, 94.3] GRADE not reported 1 study · 60 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: sinus findings | Prevalence (%) 8.22 [3.06, 20.25] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 4826 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Hypodontia | Prevalence (%) 4.45 [2.37, 8.21] GRADE not reported 11 studies · 59943 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Meta-regression: Age | Meta-regression coefficient 0.10 [-0.41, 0.61] GRADE not reported 9 studies |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Edentulous patients | Prevalence (%) 38.5 [23.5, 56.1] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Adults | Prevalence (%) 83.11 [48.12, 96.31] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1532 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Nasal septum deviation | Prevalence (%) 2.74 [0.01, 91.01] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1854 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: tooth number anomaly | Prevalence (%) 6.13 [1.38, 23.37] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 44461 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Macrodontia | Prevalence (%) 0.07 [0, 10.41] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 47299 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Fusion/gemination | Prevalence (%) 0.03 [0, 0.17] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 47623 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: soft-tissue calcifications | Prevalence (%) 9.41 [4.14, 19.99] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 3070 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Retained tooth | Prevalence (%) 3.39 [1.30, 8.55] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 350 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; pneumatization | Prevalence (%) 50.64 [32.63, 68.49] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 1887 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: dental findings | Prevalence (%) 12.19 [1.54, 55.23] GRADE not reported 5 studies · 9642 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Foreign body | Prevalence (%) 1.02 [0.22, 4.56] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 904 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; styloid ligament (/elongation) | Prevalence (%) 7.12 [0.99, 36.94] GRADE not reported 8 studies · 7472 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Odontoma | Prevalence (%) 0.42 [0.20, 0.87] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 4966 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Cyst; dentigerous | Prevalence (%) 0.73 [0.16, 3.25] GRADE not reported 7 studies · 10240 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Impaction | Prevalence (%) 10.53 [3.56, 27.29] GRADE not reported 11 studies · 58650 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: TMJ finding | Prevalence (%) 1.77 [0.50, 6.15] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 4876 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Sinus; mucous retention (pseudo)cyst | Prevalence (%) 1.87 [0.48, 6.93] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 11502 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Root dilaceration | Prevalence (%) 1.51 [0.31, 6.99] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 8885 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Oligodontia | Prevalence (%) 0.04 [0.03, 0.07] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 45636 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Condyle; degenerative joint disease | Prevalence (%) 0.11 [0.03, 0.43] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 1877 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; pulp | Prevalence (%) 3.24 [0.71, 13.54] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 1133 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Marginal bone loss | Prevalence (%) 6.13 [0.11, 79.58] GRADE not reported 6 studies · 4667 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Summary: tooth position anomaly | Prevalence (%) 11.68 [3.49, 32.56] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 44874 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Microdontia | Prevalence (%) 1.10 [0.67, 1.80] GRADE not reported 7 studies · 49034 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Seeking orthodontic treatment | Prevalence (%) 38.98 [20.88, 60.73] GRADE not reported 9 studies · 4980 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Calcification; antrolith | Prevalence (%) 0.06 [0.01, 0.58] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 3743 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Turbinate hypertrophy | Prevalence (%) 6.98 [0.13, 81.75] GRADE not reported 3 studies · 2637 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Sensitivity analysis: study sample size 501–1000 patients | Prevalence (%) 46.28 [13.41, 82.73] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Taurodontism | Prevalence (%) 1.00 [0.21, 4.63] GRADE not reported 7 studies · 50668 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Osteitis condensans / sclerosing osteitis | Prevalence (%) 1.64 [0.82, 3.23] GRADE not reported 2 studies · 7035 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Hyperdontia | Prevalence (%) 1.34 [0.90, 2.00] GRADE not reported 13 studies · 58836 participants |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | At least one incidental finding Sensitivity analysis: study sample size >2000 patients | Prevalence (%) 13.82 [0, 99.96] GRADE not reported Studies not reported |
| Diagnostic panoramic radiography | None | Cemento-osseous dysplasia (periapical) | Prevalence (%) 0.57 [0.02, 13.69] GRADE not reported 4 studies · 3263 participants |
Included primary studies 25
Open in Studies| Study | Year | Also included by | Outcomes it informs here | Trial data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aikins 2022 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Al-Abdallah 2015 Prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies: a comparison between maxillary and mandibular tooth agenesis. PMID:26522039 | 2015 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Almeida 2024 The use of panoramic radiographs to address the oral health needs of vulnerable Canadian populations. PMID:38505315 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bondemark 2006 Incidental findings of pathology and abnormality in pretreatment orthodontic panoramic radiographs. PMID:16448276 | 2006 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Büyükgöze-Dindar 2022 Prevalence of Dental Anomalies Assessed Using Panoramic Radiographs in a Sample of the Turkish Population. PMID:36102888 | 2022 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Cral 2016 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| da Silva Dias 2019 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Edmonds 2025 Ability of Orthodontists to Detect, Interpret and Propose Management Strategies for Incidental Findings on Pre-Treatment Panoramic… PMID:39776310 | 2025 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Escolano Rivas 2018 Frecuencia, hallazgos y variaciones óseas en radiografías panorámicas de personas con edentulismo total DOI:10.11144/javeriana.uo37-78.fchv | 2018 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Hernández 2018 Incidental findings in pre-orthodontic treatment radiographs. PMID:29607488 | 2018 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Hlongwa 2023 Incidental Pathologic Findings from Orthodontic Pretreatment Panoramic Radiographs. PMID:36834172 | 2023 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Imanimoghaddam 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Indra 2020 Analysis of Panoramic Images of Orthodontic Patients DOI:10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl3.3507 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Jadu 2015 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Jiménez Ortíz 2017 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Karkac 2024 Determining the Incidental Pathologic Findings (IPFs) on panoramic radiographs before orthodontic treatments: A retrospective study DOI:10.5937/bjdm2402091k | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Leyva Altamirano 2011 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| MacDonald 2020 Incidental findings in a consecutive series of digital panoramic radiographs. PMID:32206621 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mohan 2024 Prescription of panoramic radiographs in children using age-based prevalence of dental anomalies and pathologies. PMID:37330621 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Pakbaznejad Esmaeili 2016 Type and location of findings in dental panoramic tomographs in 7-12-year-old orthodontic patients. PMID:26634313 | 2016 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Pamadya 2025 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Sadik 2020 Complete Edentulism of Dental Patients in Northeastern Turkey: Prevalence and Radiographic Findings on Panoramic Radiographs Prevalence… DOI:10.14693/jdi.v27i3.1139 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Temur 2021 Incidental dental anomalies and jawbone pathologies in Turkish pediatric patients of the Eastern Mediterranean region DOI:10.4328/acam.20726 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Vaiciulis 2020 Occurrence of Nonarticular Incidental Findings on Panoramic Radiographs in Painful Temporomandibular Disorders DOI:10.4067/s0718-381x2020000200213 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Yoga 2017 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
Review question
| Element | Planned (methods) | Found (results) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Patients of any age, sex, or ethnicity with any anamnestic or clinical justification for a diagnostic panoramic radiograph | Dental patients (n=25 studies; 66,882 patients; 44.1% male): seeking orthodontic treatment (n=11), dental treatment (n=6), pedodontic treatment (n=2), radiology referral (n=2), other reasons |
| Intervention | Panoramic radiograph for diagnostic imaging of the head/neck region (exposure) | Panoramic radiographs (n=25) |
| Comparison | Comparisons according to patient characteristics | Subgroups by sample origin and patient age group; meta-regression by mean age and % male |
| Outcomes | Any incidental finding from panoramic radiographs; prevalence of specific findings, alone or as categorized by study authors | Any incidental finding (n=19 studies, 61,627 patients); 60 specific findings or categories pooled (2 to 13 studies each); 5 findings from single studies not pooled |
| Study designs | Longitudinal or cross-sectional studies (prospective or retrospective) on humans | Cross-sectional studies (n=25) |
| Timing | Not specified | Not specified |