Panoramic X-rays are general scan films that show all the teeth and jawbones. However, in the lower corners of these films, near the vertebrae of the neck, the anatomical line where the carotid artery passes is slightly included in the frame. If the patient has advanced atherosclerotic plaques (calcification/fat accumulation) in the carotid artery, these calcified structures appear as radiopaque (whitish) irregular spots on the panoramic X-ray. When a careful general dentist notices this calcification, even if it has nothing to do with the teeth, they immediately refer the patient to cardiology or cardiovascular surgery due to the “Risk of Stroke”. In this way, the patient’s life can be saved by undergoing surgery or medication before the artery is completely blocked and a stroke occurs, even if the patient shows no symptoms.
