The evaluation ofOPGpictures in patients with risk factors influencing the origin of cerebrovascular event should not only be directed to stomatological examination, but also to the presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaques in the area of arteria carotis communis bifurcation. The stomatologist may be the first physician to reveal this serious risk and sends the patient to the aimed specialized examination. We have evaluated at our workplace a total of 738 OPG pictures in 469 women and 269 men in the age range of 45–90 years. Ninety seven pictures were not evaluable. Suspect findings were detected in 21 women (3.2 %) and three men (0.3%). All these patients displayed some of the risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, menopause, and have been under regular care of specialized physicians. Our conclusions confirm the feasibility of a thorough evaluation of OPG especially in the risk patients, but also in those who do not display any symptoms and have not been treated so far.

        Key words: orthopantomogram – arteria carotis – carotid artery – atherosclerosis – hypertension – diabetes