Incidentally Significant Finding in an Asymptomatic Patient

The oral physicians have been playing a significant role in diagnosing systemic diseases from their oral manifestations. Not only from the clinical findings in the orofacial region but also from dental radiographs valuable diagnostic information regarding the diseases affecting the body can be detected. Dental panoramic radiographs have been used as screening radiographs for the diagnosis of oral and dental diseases. In addition to this they have been employed as valuable tools for age determination, prediction of osteoporosis and even for diagnosing calcified atherosclerotic plaques in common carotid arteries in asymptomatic patients. A dental panoramic radiograph of a 54-year-old man was taken for checking the alveolar bone height to treat periodontitis and plan prosthesis. Incidentally it was seen that both carotids had calcified masses and warranted further investigation. Ultrasonography revealed the presence of stenosis of the common carotid artery on the left side and outflow obstruction, thereby preventing a possible cerebrovascular incident in an otherwise healthy patient. The case is shared to increase awareness regarding the role of the dentist in prevention of stroke in unsuspecting individuals.