Use of Panoramic Dental Radiography for Talent Identification and Development in Youth Soccer: A Pilot Case

The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of using panoramic X-ray as an auxiliary tool for the identification of talent in young athletes using the physical body growth indicator. Thirty three radiographs were used of athletes aged 13 to 15 years. Analysis was performed using the Eklof and Ringertz method. Dental age (40 %) came the closest to chronological age. Dental age determined in this study proved to be the most effective radiographic method for the determination of bone maturity for use in the identification of talent through imaging exams. This method was also the simplest and can be performed by the dentist of a sports club without exposing athletes to unnecessary radiation.