Comparison of panoramic radiography and Water's projection in the diagnosis of maxillary sinus disease.

Pantomograms and Water's views were independently reviewed by two radiologists with regard to detection of maxillary sinus abnormalities. Panoramic radiography was found to be a better radiologic approach than the Water's projection for the detection of cystlike densities in the maxillary sinus. Cloudiness of the maxillary sinus and sclerotic change of adjacent bony structures were better demonstrated on the Water's view. These two techniques supplement each other and both should be used in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of maxillary sinus disease.