Evaluation of soft-tissue calcifications and their prevalence in the orofacial region using digital panoramic radiography: A retrospective study

Authors

  • Shubha Sharma
  • Christopher Vinay Shinde
  • Hina Handa
  • Palak Dawrani

Keywords:

Soft-tissue calcification, Panoramic radiography, Orofacial region, Stylohyoid ligament, Sialolith, Tonsillolith, Phlebolith

Abstract


Soft-tissue calcifications of the orofacial region are commonly detected as incidental findings on panoramic radiographs. Although many are asymptomatic, certain calcifications may indicate underlying local pathology or systemic disease, highlighting the importance of their recognition during routine dental imaging. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence, anatomical distribution, and radiographic characteristics of soft-tissue calcifications in the orofacial region using digital panoramic radiographs and to evaluate their association with demographic variables. This retrospective, observational radiographic study was conducted at the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People’s Dental Academy, Bhopal. A total of 800 digital panoramic radiographs of patients aged 18–60 years were evaluated for the presence of soft-tissue calcifications, which were classified according to type, anatomical location, laterality, number, and size using an eight-box classification system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 30.0, applying descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Calcified stylohyoid ligament was the most prevalent finding (30.5%), followed by sialoliths (19.5%) and carotid artery calcifications (14%). Significant associations were observed between calcification characteristics and age, laterality, number, and size (p < 0.001), with unilateral and single calcifications predominating. Digital panoramic radiography is an effective screening modality for detecting a wide spectrum of orofacial soft-tissue calcifications, enabling early diagnosis and timely medical referral...

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Cuttino CL, Pogozelski DS, Richards GR, Tiecke RW. Panoramic radiographic survey of dentists’ interpretation of findings. J Am Dent Assoc. 1969; 79(5):1179–82.

[2] Monsour PA, Young WG. Variability of the styloid process and stylohyoid ligament in panoramic radiographs. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1986; 61(5):522–6.

[3] Garay I, Netto HD, Olate S. Soft tissue calcifications in the mandibular angle area observed by means of panoramic radiography. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2014; 7(1):51–6.

[4] Vengalath J, Puttabuddi IH, Rajkumar B, Shivakumar GC. Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications on digital panoramic radiographs: a retrospective study. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol. 2014; 26:385–9.

[5] Safabakhsh M, Johari M, Bijani A, Haghanifar S. Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications on panoramic radiographs in northern Iran. J Babol Univ Med Sci. 2018; 20(6):41–5.

[6] Preethy M, Elangovan S, Lakshmi SJ, Kumar S. Incidental findings of soft tissue radiopacities on digital panoramic radiographs: a cross-sectional study. J Indian Acad Oral Med Radiol. 2022; 34:193–7.

[7] Ramadurai I, Umamaheswari TN. Prevalence of oral and maxillofacial calcifications in dental panoramic radiography: a retrospective study. IP Int J Maxillofac Imaging. 2018; 4(3):82–6.

[8] Icoz D, Akgunlu F. Prevalence of detected soft tissue calcifications on digital panoramic radiographs. SRM Journal of Research in Dental Sciences. 2019 Jan 1; 10(1):21-5.

[9] Maia PR, Tomaz AF, Maia EF, Lima KC, Oliveira PT. Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in panoramic radiographs of the maxillofacial region of older adults. Gerodontology. 2022 Sep; 39(3):266-72.

[10] Hays JB, Gibilisco JA, Juergens JL. Calcification of vessels in the cheek of patients with arteriosclerosis. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1966; 21(3):299–302.

[11] White SC, Pharoah MJ. Soft tissue calcifications and ossifications. In: White SC, Pharoah MJ, editors. Oral radiology: principles and interpretation. 5th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004. p. 526–79.

[12] Cornell RW, Jensen JL, Tyber JB, Rhyne RR. Mineralization of the stylohyoid ligament complex: a radiographic incidence study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1979; 48(4):286–91.

[13] Langlais RP, Miles DA, Van Dis ML. Elongated and mineralized stylohyoid ligament complex: a proposed classification and report of a case of Eagle’s syndrome. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1988; 61(5):527–32.

[14] Scolozzi P, Laurent F, Lombardi T, Richter M. Intraoral venous malformation presenting with multiple phleboliths. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2003; 96(2):197–200..

Downloads

Published

2025-12-07

How to Cite

1.
Sharma S, Vinay Shinde C, Handa H, Dawrani P. Evaluation of soft-tissue calcifications and their prevalence in the orofacial region using digital panoramic radiography: A retrospective study. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 7 [cited 2026 Feb. 13];14(33S):587-93. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/9995

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 33S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

You are free to:

  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Terms:

  • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
  • No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.