Method: There were 23 tumors in the maxillomandibular complex diagnosed by histopathological examination. All panoramic radiographies and computed tomographies obtained were analyzed by two radiologists previously calibrated (Kappa coefficient 0.8) in a double-blind study, considering the following radiographic aspects: radiolucency, presence or absence of mineralization areas, distinctness of the lesions’ edges, expansion and breaking of cortical bone, as well as the relation with anatomic structures and dental elements. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and chi-square test, at 5% significance level.
Result: 73.9% of the patients were found to present odontogenic tumors, and 26.1% non-odontogenic ones. 65.2% were female and 34.8% were male; 56.5% of the tumors were found in the mandible; 34.8% in the maxilla, and 8.7% in both arcs. In relation to the study variables, cone-beam tomography offered more precise and statistically meaningful results for evaluating bone destruction in the vestibular (p=0.002) and palatine/lingual cortical (p=0.001), as well as for bone expansion (p=0.002), if compared with the panoramic radiography.
Conclusion: It was concluded that the panoramic radiography was the examination chosen to visualize lesions in maxilla, but cone-beam computed tomography provides better accuracy in terms of distinctness, expansion and breaking of cortical bone, thus supporting surgical planning and patient’s follow up, but presenting high cost as disadvantage.