Individualised restricted intraoral radiography versus full-mouth radiography in the detection of periradicular lesions.

: The aim was to study the diagnostic yield of periradicular lesions using different combinations of periapical radiographs. One hundred patients were first examined clinically and then periapical radiographs were taken of teeth with clinical signs and symptoms. As a second step of the radiological examination, periapical radiographs were taken of teeth that were endodontically treated or had extensive cavities demonstrated by bitewing radiographs. Finally, these radiographs were supplemented to make up a full-mouth examination. Out of 226 periradicular lesions. 34% were indicated by the clinical symptoms, another 43% by the fact that the tooth was endodontically treated and an additional 13% by having an extensive cavity. The remaining 10% of the periradicular lesions were found only with the aid of the full-mouth examination. It is suggested that information from clinical examination and from bitewing radiographs of the whole dentition might be employed to select radiographs in order to detect periapical lesions.