Orthodontic diagnosis rates based on panoramic radiographs in children aged 6–8 years: A retrospective study

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of orthodontic problems and the proportion of patients who underwent orthodontic diagnosis among children aged 6 (n = 300), 7 (n = 400), and 8 (n = 400) years who had undergone panoramic radiography. Methods: Children were divided into five groups according to their chief complaint and consultation: conservative dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics). Chief complaints investigated included first molar eruption, lack of space for incisor eruption, frequency of eruption problems, lack of space, impaction, supernumerary teeth (SNT), missing teeth, and ectropion eruption. The number of patients whose chief complaint was not related to orthodontics but had dental problems requiring orthodontic treatment was counted. The proportion of patients with orthodontic problems who received an orthodontic diagnosis was also examined. Results: Dental trauma and SNT were the most frequent chief complaints among the children. The proportion of patients with orthodontic problems increased with age. However, the orthodontic diagnosis rates based on panoramic radiographs among children aged 6, 7, 8 years were only 1.5% (6 years) and 23% (7 and 8 years). Conclusions: Accurate information should be provided to patient caregivers to correct misconceptions regarding the appropriateness of delaying orthodontic examination until permanent dentition is established.