Bringing oral radiology into the light

How does CT-scanning in the dental clinic benefit patients and society as a whole? This is a fundamental question for Professor Ann Wenzel, born 1952. A researcher and pioneer in the scientific field of oral radiology.

CT-scanning, a radiographic three-dimensional imaging method, has recently been introduced in the diagnostics and treatment planning of dental diseases. The new technology is expensive, but accessible for every dentist. However, compared to conventional radiographic imaging, CT increases the radiation burden as well as the economic costs to the patients. This is a concern for Ann Wenzel, who is dedicated to patient-oriented research.

“CT-scanning is heavily used in dentistry, but we have no documentation for the diagnostic validity of the method. The focus of my recent research is to conduct the clinical studies needed to provide guidelines for the dentists on when CT-scanning benefits the patients,” says Ann Wenzel.

Her research group has provided evidence that there is nothing gained by conducting a CT-scan before the removal of a wisdom tooth in the lower jaw. On the other hand, a 3D examination seems to benefit the diagnosis of cervical root resorption.

Until Ann Wenzel conducted her PhD in the early 1980’s, oral radiology was merely an appendix topic within dental surgery. Since then, she has pioneered the field of dental imaging, transforming it from celluloid-based film into digital data, and at the same time, she has made an emphatic mark on both research and education in digital technologies in dentistry – without losing sight of the patient’s perspective.

“I have a profound interest in digital data capture and transmission. However, fascination of new technologies may never override the clinical implications of choosing a specific imaging method for diagnosis and treatment planning. This is my guiding star,” says Ann Wenzel, who has supervised more than 25 PhD students on this subject.

Throughout her career, Ann Wenzel has received numerous prizes; the most honourable being the Rigmor and Carl Holst-Knudsen Award for Scientific Research in 2019.