Influence of patient head positioning on measured axial toot

Panoramic radiographs are routinely used to assess the mesiodistal axial inclination of teeth (MDAI) in orthodontic treatment. These radiographs are sensitive to minor deviations from standard head position that result in image distortions.

The more distal the position of the tooth in the arch the greater the change in MDAI with a change in vertical head position. A maximum change of approximately 10 degrees was observed in MDAI of both the maxillary and mandibular molars with a corresponding superior head tilt of 10 degrees. The Mandibular anteriors displayed significant inconsistencies in MDAI with both superior and inferior head tilt. A superior head tilt produced a greater change in mesiodistal angulation than did an inferior head tilt.