Radiographic findings of routine in dentistry, and its importance in the early diagnosis of cervicofacial pathologies. Case report

Abstract

Panoramic radiography, orthopantomography or dental panoramic tomography is a radiographic technique widely used in dentistry. And within the cervicofacial pathologies found in these routine radiographs are the calcified atheromatous plaques, originated by the excessive deposition of lipids and inflammatory cells, causing the possible oclussion of an artery by the intimate wall. This pathology is chronified with the presence of risk factors that cause endothelial damage, such as: hypertension, diabetes, obesity among others. The diagnosis of this pathology is of relevance since it will help in the prevention of diseases such as cerebrovascular accident and cerebral infarction. This article presents the case of a 42-year-old female patient, attended in dental specialty center of the Universidad Catolica de Cuenca, Azogues, for a control of her oral health, but the routine diagnostic orthopantomography, shows radiopacities at the cervical level, which were diagnosed as atheromatous plaques in the carotid. The objective of this article is to emphasize the importance of diagnosis at the cervicofacial level in routine orthopantomographies in dental practice.