Conventional Dental Radiography Research Articles

Detection of caries lesions using a water-sensitive STIR sequence in dental MRI

In clinical practice, diagnosis of suspected carious lesions is verified by using conventional dental radiography (DR), including panoramic radiography (OPT), bitewing imaging, and dental X-ray. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for caries visualization. Fourteen patients with clinically suspected carious lesions, verified by standardized dental examination including DR and OPT, were imaged with 3D isotropic T2-weighted STIR (short tau inversion recovery) and T1 FFE Black bone sequences. Intensities of dental caries, hard tissue and pulp were measured and calculated as aSNR (apparent signal to noise ratio) and aHTMCNR (apparent hard tissue to muscle contrast to noise ratio) in both sequences. Imaging findings were then correlated to clinical examination results. In STIR as well as in T1 FFE black bone images, aSNR and aHTMCNR was significantly higher in carious lesions than in healthy hard tissue (p < 0.001). Using water-sensitive STIR sequence allowed for detecting significantly lower aSNR and aHTMCNR in carious teeth compared to healthy teeth (p = 0.01). The use of MRI for the detection of caries is a promising imaging technique that may complement clinical exams and traditional imaging.

Reliability of CBCT Dataset in Determination of Surgical Approaches of Maxillary Impacted Canine Teeth

Background: One of the most commonly impacted teeth is the maxillary canine, right after the third molar. Many potential difficulties might arise before, during, and after the extraction of impacted maxillary teeth. Performing thorough radiographic exams can be beneficial. The information for a two-dimensional (2D) examination is provided by the periapical and panoramic radiographs (OPG) utilized in conventional dental radiography. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a novel imaging technology developed in response to the shortcomings of traditional (2D) imaging methods. Everyone will gain from these problems resolved. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate two types of 2D (OPG), and 3D imaging (CBCT) approaches for diagnosing and treating maxillary impacted canines. Furthermore, to determine the best approach selection option for surgical removal procedures utilizing OPG and CBCT, focusing on the sagittal section for increased safety and efficiency. Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective radiographic investigation of 80 patients with CBCT radiographic evaluation. Eighteen cases (22.5%) of men and 62 (77.5%) of women reported. Version 27 of SPSS used to analyze the data. The independent t-test offered information on the reliability of the quantitative variables. We utilized a Chi-square test for the qualitative analysis, and for the quantitative analysis, we used a cross-tabulation to determine the level of agreement. Results: The t-test result, depending on surgical approach time, was 8.4; there is a significant difference between the two radiography prognosis, with p-values of (0.000) at the significant level (0.05). The %ages of agreement between impactions and surgical techniques ranged from 87.5% to 100%. Conclusion: This study shows that the CBCT guide can provide accurate, reliable, and reproducible results in assessing and predicting the kind of impaction and surgical approach in a simple, time-saving manner.

Have conventional dental radiographs lost its charm to modern techniques?

For any dental implant procedure that is being carried out, the success will depend on a thorough pre-operative investigation. The quality, quantity and the volume of available bone at the planned implant site has to be assessed properly when planning a dental implant placement. When we speak of the fore-mentioned aspects pre-surgical imaging and its co-relation to clinical findings help assess the relation to the amount of bone available from underlying vital parts namely the sinus cavities, nasal floor, nerves, teeth and vessels. Different radiographic modalities have been advocated for its assessment. Intra Oral Peri-apical radiograph (two-dimensional) is one such modality that has lost its importance after the introduction of more advanced techniques like Cone Beam Tomography (three-dimensional). This article will help us understand how two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging modalities go hand in hand while treating dental patients. It will also explain why the conventional imaging technologies are still required in this era of modern methods of imaging.

Dental use of cone beam computed tomography in pediatric embolized arteriovenous maxillofacial malformation

Objective: Pediatric facial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare but can cause potentially fatal hemorrhages during dental procedures and oral surgery. In this article we present a systematic review of the medical open access literature on pediatric facial AVM.&#x0D; Case report: We illustrate our purpose with clinical dental use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in pediatric embolized facial AVM to define the presence and the position of the right upper impacted canine.&#x0D; Conclusions: We advocate the use of CBCT as additional imaging tool in the follow-up of pediatric dentomaxillofacial AVM, and for depiction of dentoalveolar structures that are inaccessible by conventional dental radiography.

Comparison of Abundance of Premolar and Molar Pulp Stones before and after Orthodontic Treatment Using Panoramic Radiography.

Objectives: Pulp stone is a focal calcification in dental pulp, which is often detected on conventional dental radiographs. Pulp stones can complicate easy access to the root canal and pulp chamber in root canal treatment. Orthodontic treatment may be associated with the formation of pulp stones. Therefore, this study examined the number of pulp stones pre- and post-orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional comparative study, 222 digital panoramic radiographs collected from private orthodontic offices in Rasht, were divided into two groups: radiographs of patients undergoing orthodontic and non-orthodontic treatment according to the inclusion criteria. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS via the Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests (P<0.05). Results: The difference in the number of pulp stones pre- and post-orthodontic treatment was significant (P<0.0001). The maximum number of pulp stones after orthodontic treatment was observed in second molars (P=0.016). The change in the number of pulp stones in the mandible (P=0.001) was significantly higher than that in the maxilla (P=0.002). This change was also greater in the left side (P<0.0001) than in the right side (P=0.002). The changes in the number of pulp stones was significant in females (P=0.02). Age had an insignificant effect on pulp stone formation (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed the effect of orthodontic treatment on the number of pulp stones. Further studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms for this increase and come up with strategies to prevent it.

Fabrication of a CAD-CAM custom healing abutment guided by a conventional dental radiograph for delayed loaded dental implants: A dental technique

This article describes a technique for fabricating a custom anatomic healing abutment for delayed loaded implants by using the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technology from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blank. The dimensions of the custom healing abutment are measured from a conventional dental radiograph and diagnostic casts. The healing abutment is used in the second surgical stage to guide soft tissue healing. The resulting soft tissue contour guides the design of the mucosal part of the custom implant abutment.

IDENTIFICATION OF TONSILLITIS IN PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHIES: LITERATURE REVIEW

This work aims to present a systematic review of the literature on the radiographic characteristics of these calcifications in soft tissues proper to the head and neck region. In view of the above, the use of panoramic radiographs is an important technique for the accurate diagnosis of tonsillitis. The work followed the exploratory study from the reading and selection of scientific articles in the databases LILACS and MEDLINE, published in the last 8 years, a record of the information extracted from the patients related to radiologic and pathologic evaluation of tonsillitis calcifications, and an analysis and interpretation of the results. Tonsillitis calcifications are caused by inflammation, the bacterial remnants feed on mucus that accumulate in the tonsillar crypts, thus serve as a site for the development of dystrophic calcification. Clinically they have a hardened consistency, rounded and without symptomatology. In larger calcifications pain, dysphagia, bad smell, swelling, and ulcerations can occur. They appear in conventional dental radiographs, presenting as multiple areas of poorly defined radiopacity; however, panoramic radiography is characterized as a radiopaque lesion, adjacent to or superimposed on the mandibular branch, like a dense bone island. It is concluded that knowledge of the radiographic anatomy is important to identify any patterns of abnormality. This work aims to present a systematic review of the literature on the radiographic characteristics of these calcifications in soft tissues proper to the head and neck region. In view of the above, the use of panoramic radiographs is an important technique for the accurate diagnosis of tonsillitis. The work followed the exploratory study from the reading and selection of scientific articles in the databases LILACS and MEDLINE, published in the last 8 years, a record of the information extracted from the patients related to radiologic and pathologic evaluation of tonsillitis calcifications, and an analysis and interpretation of the results. Tonsillitis calcifications are caused by inflammation, the bacterial remnants feed on mucus that accumulate in the tonsillar crypts, thus serve as a site for the development of dystrophic calcification. Clinically they have a hardened consistency, rounded and without symptomatology. In larger calcifications pain, dysphagia, bad smell, swelling, and ulcerations can occur. They appear in conventional dental radiographs, presenting as multiple areas of poorly defined radiopacity; however, panoramic radiography is characterized as a radiopaque lesion, adjacent to or superimposed on the mandibular branch, like a dense bone island. It is concluded that knowledge of the radiographic anatomy is important to identify any patterns of abnormality.

Radiation dose measurements in a dental orthopantogram unit using indigenously developed optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters.

Dental orthopantogram (OPG)/cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners are gaining popularity due to their 3D imaging with multiplanar view that provides clinical benefits over conventional dental radiography systems. Dental OPG/CBCT provides optimal visualization of adjacent overlaying anatomical structures that will be superpositioned in any single projection. The characteristics of indigenously developed optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters, namely, aluminium oxide doped with carbon (Al2 O3 :C), lithium magnesium phosphate doped with terbium and boron (LiMgPO4 :Tb,B) and lithium calcium aluminium fluoride doped with europium and yttrium (LiCaAlF6 :Eu,Y) were evaluated for their use in dental dosimetry. The dose-response of these dosimeters was studied at X-ray energies 60kV, 70kV and 81kV. Radiation doses were also measured using Gafchromic film for comparison. Radiation dose was measured at eight different locations of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) head phantom including eyes. The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) sensitivity of LiMgPO4 :Tb,B is about 1.5 times and LiCaAlF6 :Eu, is about 20 times higher than the sensitivity of Al2 O3 :C. It was found that measured radiation doses by the three optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) and Gafchromic film in the occipital region (back side) of a PMMA phantom, were consistent but variations in dose at other locations were significantly higher. The three OSLDs used in this study were found to be suitable for radiation dose measurement in dental units.

Accuracy and head positioning effects on measurements of anterior tooth length using 3-dimensional and conventional dental panoramic radiography.

The purposes of this study were to examine the accuracy and the head positioning effects on measurements of anterior tooth length using 3-dimensional (3D) and conventional dental panoramic radiography and to investigate whether 3D panoramic radiography is suitable for the evaluation of anterior tooth length. A simulated human head was radiographed at 4, 8, and 12mm displaced positions, and at 5°, 10°, and 15° tilted positions from the standard head position using 3D and conventional panoramic radiography, and also using cone-beam computed tomography. Anterior tooth lengths were measured on the panoramic and cone-beam computed tomography images. The values for the standard head position in the panoramic radiographs were defined as the standard values. Measurement error was defined as the standard value minus the cone-beam computed tomography value on each panoramic radiograph. The head position ratio of the measurement value to the standard value at each head position was calculated. Measurement errors for the 3D panoramic radiographs were significantly smaller than those for the conventional panoramic radiographs. In the 3D panoramic radiographs, the head position ratios at the 4, 8, and 12mm displaced positions and at the 5° tilted position were within ±5% of the standard value. Three-dimensional panoramic radiography is suitable for the quantitative evaluation of anterior tooth length with high accuracy.

Numb chin syndrome as a primary presentation of metastatic breast cancer

Numb chin syndrome (NCS) is characterized by facial neuropathy along the distribution of the mental branch of the trigeminal nerve. We report a case of NCS in a 65 year old woman who initially presented to her dentist with nonspecific symptoms that she thought were related to a tooth infection. The patient was otherwise healthy and her medical history was significant for breast cancer treated 20 years prior; her cancer was thought to be in complete remission. Upon clinical examination and conventional dental radiography, no pathology was seen such as odontogenic, periodontal, or jawbone infection. Only paresthesia and hypoesthesia was noted unilaterally in her left chin, jaw and lower lip. A computed tomography scan was obtained for further evaluation and revealed lytic metastatic disease involving the right mandible at the level of the mandibular foramen; lytic lesions of the thoracic vertebrae and multiple pulmonary nodules were also noted. Oncologic referral was made immediately which confirmed a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Familiarity with NCS is important for oral health care providers in order to identify etiology and differential diagnosis, as well as to provide appropriate referral and management.

An Intraoral Miniature X-ray Tube Based on Carbon Nanotubes for Dental Radiography

Abstract A miniature X-ray tube based on a carbon-nanotube electron emitter has been employed for the application to a dental radiography. The miniature X-ray tube has an outer diameter of 7 mm and a length of 47 mm. The miniature X-ray tube is operated in a negative high-voltage mode in which the X-ray target is electrically grounded. In addition, X-rays are generated only to the teeth directions using a collimator while X-rays generated to other directions are shielded. Hence, the X-ray tube can be safely inserted into a human mouth. Using the intra-oral X-ray tube, a dental radiography is demonstrated where the positions of an X-ray source and a sensor are reversed compared with a conventional dental radiography system. X-ray images of five neighboring teeth are obtained and, furthermore, both left and right molar images are achieved by a single X-ray shot of the miniature X-ray tube.

Unusual incidental findings on intra- and extra-oral radiographs in North Indian Population: A radiographic study

Aims and Objectives: To detect the prevalence of unusual incidental findings on intra- and extra-oral radiographs in North Indian Population: A radiographic study. Methods: All the intra- and extra-oral conventional dental radiographs were analyzed for the period of 2 year along with the radiographic findings related to patient's chief complaint. Results: A total of 6780 conventional intra- and extra-oral dental radiographs were screened and 90 radiographs showed incidental findings. A total of 10 varieties and 95 numbers of incidental findings were noted, 50 (55.55%) affected mandible, and 24 (44.44%) affected maxilla. Out of 90, 44 (48.88%) were bony findings and 46 (51.11%) were dental findings. Most common type of incidental pathology was idiopathic osteosclerosis. The most uncommon type of incidental pathology was regional odontodysplasia with 35 (38.88%), 25 (27.77) cases of cysts, 16 cases of supernumerary teeth (17.77%), 9 (10%) cases of sinus abnormality, 4 (5.40%) of each findings were of odontome, dense in dente, internal resorption, and calcifications. About 1 (1.11%) of each findings were regional odontodysplasia, focal cemental dysplasia. Conclusions: Conventional radiography is still most commonly used tool to primarily investigate lesions quickly with low cost to patient and then further diagnostic and advanced radiological or other examinations can be performed for comparison, periodic follow up, management, and research purposes.

Accessory Mental Foramen Misdiagnosed as Radiolucent Tumour by Conventional Dental Radiography

The mental foramen is an important landmark for identifying the mental nerve, and the accessory mental foramen is a rare anatomical variation. This article describes the use of computed tomo- graphy (CT) to detect an accessory mental foramen that was initially misdiagnosed as a radiolu- cent tumour in the right premolar region of a 39-year-old woman by panoramic radiography. The case suggests that preoperative CT should be performed to detect any anatomical variations. This knowledge would help in diagnosis, preoperative planning and prevention of intraoperative nerve or vascular injury.

Generation of Intra‐oral‐like Images from Cone Beam Computed Tomography Volumes for Dental Forensic Image Comparison

Identification of unknown individuals using dental comparison is well established in the forensic setting. The identification technique can be time and resource consuming if many individuals need to be identified at once. Medical CT (MDCT) for dental profiling has had limited success, mostly due to artifact from metal-containing dental restorations and implants. The authors describe a CBCT reformatting technique that creates images, which closely approximate conventional dental images. Using a i-CAT Platinum CBCT unit and standard issue i-CAT Vision software, a protocol is developed to reproducibly and reliably reformat CBCT volumes. The reformatted images are presented with conventional digital images from the same anatomic area for comparison. The authors conclude that images derived from CBCT volumes following this protocol are similar enough to conventional dental radiographs to allow for dental forensic comparison/identification and that CBCT offers a superior option over MDCT for this purpose.

3-D imaging in post-traumatic malformation and eruptive disturbance in permanent incisors: a case report

Injury to the primary dentition is one of the common problems of childhood. Disturbances during crown development of the permanent teeth result in morphologic alterations. This case report highlights the role of 3-D imaging when conventional dental radiographs are not enough to answer our clinical questions regarding future eruptive disturbances. 3-D imaging can many times give us a definitive diagnosis and improve the treatment planning after early injuries in the deciduous dentition. The current status of multislice computed tomography (CT) and cone beam CT (CBCT) as diagnostic tools in pediatric dental population is also discussed briefly.

Detection of dental root fractures by using cone-beam computed tomography

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of cone beam CT (CBCT) with that of conventional dental radiography in the detection of root fractures and to evaluate the influence of root canal fillings on root fracture detection. We investigated 128 patients with clinically suspected root fractures in 135 teeth. These patients underwent conventional dental radiography, CBCT and eventually surgical exploration. Among the 135 teeth, 86 were non-endodontically treated teeth and 49 were endodontically treated teeth. Two oral radiologists independently analysed the dental radiographs and CBCT images of each patient and reached a consensus. The CBCT findings of root fractures were set as the detection of a separation of the adjacent root segments on at least two contiguous sections and on at least two of the three-dimensional (3D) planes. Root fracture was intraoperatively detected in 95 of the 135 teeth. The sensitivity and specificity of root fractures diagnosed on the basis of the consensus between the 2 evaluators were 26.3% and 100%, respectively, for dental radiography and 89.5% and 97.5%, respectively, for CBCT. CBCT was significantly more accurate than dental radiography in detecting root fractures (P < 0.001). The sensitivity of CBCT was reduced in the presence of root canal fillings but its specificity remained unaffected. Both the sensitivity and specificity of dental radiography were not influenced by the presence of root canal fillings. CBCT appears to be more accurate than conventional dental radiography in the detection of root fractures.

Radiographic Evaluation of Osteoporosis through Detection of Jaw Bone Changes: A Simplified Early Osteoporosis Detection Effort

Osteoporosis has become a worldwide problem and has been known as a silence disease. Nowadays, there are a lot of diagnostic tools for detecting osteoporosis. Eighty eight postmenopausal were included and underwent digital panoramic, digital periapical, and conventional radiography. Ultrasound bone densitometry of os calcis used as gold standard. Correlation between stiffness index (SI) with a digital dental, digital panoramic and conventional dental radiography are 0.170 (p = 0.11), -0382 (p = 0.001) and 0.246 (p = 0.021) respectively. Significant relationship was found between the SI only with digital panoramic and conventional dental. The highest correlation was found between SI values with mandibular Inferior Cortex on digital panoramic (-0.382, Pearson Correlation Tests). Correlation between digital panoramic radiographs and the SI values was the highest of the three radiographic modalities in this study. This indicates that evaluation of cortical bone is more accurate than cancellous bone. Bone quality evaluation in patients at high risk for osteoporosis using panoramic and dental conventional radiograph by dentist, contributes in preventing further occurrence of osteoporosis which in turn could reduce mortality and morbidity of osteoporosis in Indonesia.

Safe and effective cone beam computed tomography

Cone beam computed tomography produces three-dimensional images of the teeth and jaws. The radiation doses are higher than in conventional dental radiography and its use is increasing. Nicholas Drage summarises Health Protection Agency guidance and how it affects dental nurses

Method to Develop Pseudo Three-dimensional Dental Image from Dental Panoramic Radiograph

Although three-dimensional imaging can be a powerful tool for dentists to explain treatments to patients, obtaining of three-dimensional image of teeth in general dental clinics is difficult. This paper proposed a method to develop pseudo three-dimensional dental image from conventional dental panoramic radiograph and dental impression. The method estimates imaging parameters of given panoramic radiograph through comparison with dental cast, and re-projects the radiograph into three-dimensional space. The developed pseudo three-dimensional image gives clear impression of the patient’s dental condition.

Correction parameters in conventional dental radiography for dental implant

Background: Radiographic imaging as a supportive diagnostic tool is the essential component in treatment planning for dental implant. It help dentist to access target area of implant due to recommendation of many inventions in making radiographic imaging previously. Along with the progress of science and technology, the increasing demand of easier and simpler treatment method, a modern radiographic diagnostic for dental implant is needed. In fact, Makassar, especially in Faculty of Dentistry Hasanuddin University, has only a conventional dental radiography. Researcher wants to optimize the equipment that is used to obtain parameters of the jaw that has been corrected to get accurate dental implant. Purpose: This study aimed to see the difference of radiographic imaging of dental implant size which is going to be placed in patient before and after correction. Method: The type of research is analytical observational with cross sectional design. Sampling method is non random sampling. The amount of samples is 30 people, male and female, aged 20–50 years old. The correction value is evaluated from the parameter result of width, height, and thick of the jaw that were corrected with a metal ball by using conventional dental radiography to see the accuracy. Data is analyzed using SPSS 14 for Windows program with T-test analysis. Result: The result that is obtained by T-Test analysis results with significant value which p&lt;0.05 in the width and height of panoramic radiography technique, the width and height of periapical radiography technique, and the thick of occlusal radiography technique before and after correction. Conclusion: It can be concluded that there is a significant difference before and after the results of panoramic, periapical, and occlusal radiography is corrected .