RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PONTICULUS POSTICUS IN INDIAN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS-A LATERAL CEPHALOMETRIC STUDY

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The lateral cephalogram is the most common diagnostic radiograph used in clinicalorthodontics. Significant cervical spine pathology can be detected on the routine lateral cephalogram.The aim of this study is to sensitize clinicians for examining the cervical area of lateral cephalogramcarefully and thus record anatomical variations.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The presence and types of ponticuli posticus were investigated on 650lateral cephalograms which were randomly selected from archived records at AECS Maaruti College ofDental Sciences & Research Centre, BangaloreRESULTS: The prevalence rate of Ponticulus Posticus in our study was found to be 11.1%. Thoughthere was slight female predominance of 11.7% as compared to 10.4% in males, difference was notstatistically significant.CONCLUSION: Ponticulus posticus is a common anomaly in the Indian population. If any suchanomaly is detected or suspected, it must be documented in the patient’s health record and specialistconsultation must be sought. The lateral cephalogram must thus be considered as one of the baselinescreening tool for detecting anomalies and pathology in the cervical spine region.