A recent study has shown that using fruit pastilles or chewing gum to determine the position of the tongue significantly reduces errors in panoramic radiography.
Tongue malposition is a leading cause of poor quality dental radiographs, resulting in angular errors of 40% to 80% in radiographic projection. A recent study has shown that fruit paste can improve radiographic quality by helping patients maintain their tongue in place against the roof of their mouth. The findings may help reduce common errors in panoramic imaging and minimize additional radiation exposure required for repeat imaging.
The study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, Department of Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 270 patients were enrolled in the study. The participants were randomly divided into a celluloid matrix group, an edible fruit paste group, and a control group. All patients were instructed to press their tongue to the roof of their mouth before undergoing panoramic imaging. Patients in the first two groups were additionally instructed to place a celluloid tape, fruit tape, or chewing gum on their tongue beforehand. The researchers then performed the imaging and compared the results across all groups to assess the incidence of palatoglossal airspace shadowing error.
According to the results of the study, high-quality radiographs were obtained in 75.5% of cases from the fruit paste group. Also, high-quality radiographs were obtained in 60.0% of patients in the celluloid matrix group. And in the control group, only 36.6%.
Cherry Agustin, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, said in a press release that the findings could help patients by reducing the need for repeat x-rays. “When a person can’t keep their mouth shut and the radiologist has to redo [the x-ray], the patient spends more time, money, and is exposed to more radiation,” she said.
A sour fruit drop (thickness: 1 mm; a), chewing gum (thickness: 1 mm; b), and a strip of celluloid matrix (thickness: 5 μm; c).
Approximate location of the corresponding strip in relation to the palate.
“Fruit pastilles can help you get the right radiograph the first time, and they taste delicious,” she added.