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Background: To test the hypothesis that cephalometric parameters in two-dimensional routine dental radiographs correlate with the bone supply of intraoral donor regions. Methods: A total of 108 radiographs (36 panoramic radiographs [PRs], 36 lateral cephalometric radiographs [LCRs], and 36 cone-beam computed tomography scans [CBCT]) of 36 patients were analysed. Cephalometric parameters (PR and LCR) were correlated with the bone supply measurement in three-dimensional CBCT scans in three different intraoral donor regions (chin, mandibular retromolar region, and zygomatic alveolar crest). Results: Different mean bone volumes were measured for the chin (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 with the bone dimensions in the chin and the mandibular retromolar region (all p-values < 0.05). Bone volume of the zygomatic alveolar crest exhibited no correlations with cephalometric parameters but significantly correlated with the mandibular retromolar bone volume (p < 0.01). No gender-specific differences were observed with respect to bone volumes in all bone harvesting regions. However, the interforaminal distance in the chin region was significantly higher in the male population (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Routine 2D radiographs can be used during the initial consultation for primary intraoral bone donor site evaluation. This is anticipated to be helpful in defining indications and justifying further diagnostic options such as three-dimensional radiological techniques.

Purpose To test the hypothesis that routine dental radiographs can be used to draw conclusions regarding inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) localization. Methods A total of 108 radiographs (36 orthopantomograms [OPTs], 36 lateral cephalograms [LCs], and 36 cone-beam computed tomograms [CBCTs]) of 36 patients were analyzed. Cephalometric parameters obtained through OPTs and LCs were correlated with CBCT scans for predictability of IAN localization. Results The IAN ran along the lingual half (n = 24) twice as often as in the buccal half (n = 12) in population of the study. The position was always symmetrical contralaterally. No sex-specific correlations were observed (p = 0.34). Lingual nerve courses correlated with enlarged and buccal courses with reduced jaw angles (p = 0.003 / p = 0.010). An increased jaw angle was significantly correlated with a more cranial nerve position; a deep and distal bite position was significantly correlated with a caudal and buccal nerve position (p = 0.020). Moreover, an increase of 1 point in the Hasund score predicted an increased probability of a buccal nerve position by 18.6%. The jaw angle analyzed in OPT, and LC images were positively correlated (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). Conclusions Routine dental radiographs provide meaningful conclusions about IAN localization in the vertical and transverse dimension prior CBCT scans. This finding could be used during the initial consultation and treatment planning to weigh more invasive diagnostic methods further down the line.