Informational content of two-dimensional panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalometric radiographs with respect to the bone volume of intraoral donor regions considering CBCT imaging

BACKGROUND: To test the hypothesis that cephalometric parameters in two-dimensional routine dental radiographs correlate with the bone volume of intraoral bone donor sites. METHODS: One-hundred and eight radiographs [36 panoramic radiographs (PRs), 36 lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs), and 36 cone-beam computed tomography scans (CBCT)] of 36 patients (all three imaging techniques applied according to the needs of treatment planning), were analyzed individually. Cephalometric parameters (PR and LCR) were correlated with the bone volume measurement in three-dimensional CBCT scans in three intraoral donor sites (chin, mandibular retromolar region, and zygomatic alveolar crest). RESULTS: The mean bone volumes measured for the chin were (3.10 ± 1.11 cm³ SD), the mandibular retromolar region (1.66 ± 0.54 cm³ SD), and the zygomatic alveolar crest (0.17 ± 0.04 cm³ SD). Cephalometric parameters were significantly correlated (all p-values < 0.05) with the bone volume in the chin and the mandibular retromolar region. The bone volume of the zygomatic alveolar crest exhibited no correlations (p > 0.05) with cephalometric parameters. However, it was significantly correlated (p < 0.01) with the mandibular retromolar bone volume. No gender-specific differences (p > 0.05) were observed concerning bone volumes in all bone harvesting regions. Nevertheless, the male population’s interforaminal distance in the chin region was significantly higher (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PRs and LCRs can be used at the initial stage of peri-implant augmentation planning to deduce conclusions about the bone volume in different intraoral bone donor sites. It can help describe indications and justify additional diagnostic options, such as three-dimensional radiologic techniques. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02344-6.