Soft tissue calcifications in the differential diagnosis of opacities superimposed over the mandible by dental panoramic radiography.

Not all opacities observed on panoramic dental radiographs are associated with the jaws. Two thousand six hundred and twenty-eight panoramic radiographs obtained from a single dental health clinic were evaluated for the presence of opacities associated with the mandible. Opacities were observed in 4 per cent of cases. The radiographic features of these opacities are presented. The importance of including soft tissue calcifications which may be superimposed over the mandible on panoramic views in the differential diagnosis is discussed. Information on the various soft tissue calcifications which can occur in this region is presented.