Elif Tarim Ertas

A Comparative Study of Different Radiographic Methods for Detecting Occlusal Caries Lesions

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of different radiographic imaging modalities in detecting occlusal caries lesions. Materials and Methods: Under standardized conditions, 125 extracted human permanent molar teeth with sound or occlusal caries lesions were radiographed using a conventional film system (F-speed), a direct digital imaging system (complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensor), an indirect digital imaging system (photostimulable phosphor plate) and a cone beam computed tomography system (CBCT). Two observers scored the resultant images for the presence or absence of caries. Then, the teeth were histologically prepared and a definite diagnosis was determined by stereomicroscopic assessment. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (Az), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each imaging modality were calculated, as well as the intra- and interexaminer reproducibility. Results: For both thresholds, interexaminer agreement were higher for CBCT. For intraexaminer agreement, observers had different scores for both thresholds, but the scores were generally higher for CBCT. Similar Az values were achieved with all imaging methods at a diagnostic D1 threshold. The Az values of the CBCT system were found to be statistically higher than those of the other imaging modalities at a diagnostic D3 threshold (p > 0.05); no significant differences were found among the other imaging modalities. All radiographic methods showed similar sensitivities, specificities and accuracy in detecting D1 threshold. The CBCT system showed higher sensitivity and accuracy in detecting dentine lesions. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, CBCT exhibited better performance in detecting deep occlusal caries lesions than the other radiographic systems.

An unusual peripheral osteoma of the mandibular notch: a case report with computed tomography evaluation

An osteoma, a slow-growing benign osseous neoplasm of the bone, is characterized by a proliferation of osteoblasts that form bone trabeculae in the connective tissue stroma. It is an uncommon condition that generally occurs in the maxillofacial bones. This neoplasm may be clinically silent for years without any symptoms. It is usually diagnosed when it becomes enlarged and is incidentally observed during a radiological examination. The radiographic characteristic of the lesion is a well circumscribed round or oval radiopaque mass. In this paper, we present a case of an unusual localization of a peripheral osteoma incidentally detected during radiographic examination with subsequent three-dimensional computed tomography evaluation.

Incidental findings of carotid artery stenosis detected by calcifications on panoramic radiographs: report of three cases

Atherosclerosis, a progressive inflammatory disorder, may lead to coronary artery disease or stroke. The prevalence of atherosclerosis associated with mortality and morbidity is very high in developed countries, and is the underlying cause of approximately 50% of all deaths in Western societies. Panoramic radiographs (PRs) are an indispensable diagnostic tool used by dental practitioners. In the general dental population, the prevalence of positive incidental carotid artery calcifications (CACs) is reported to range from 2 to 5%. Therefore, incidental findings of CAC on PRs taken during routine dental evaluation may be useful for detecting asymptomatic patients at risk of stroke and could provide life-saving information. In this case report, we present radiological findings and follow-up of three patients with severe atherosclerosis that was incidentally detected on PRs, and discuss the role and importance of PRs in the detection of CACs.

Endodontic treatment and esthetic management of a geminated central incisor bearing a talon cusp.

Gemination with talon cusps is an uncommon morphologic dental anomaly, characterized by the formation of clinically wide tooth that can cause significant aesthetic and clinical problems including esthetic impairment, pain, caries susceptibility, and tooth crowding. These morphological dental anomalies have specific treatment needs due to the abnormal morphology and need virtuous radiologic diagnosis. Multidisciplinary approach can supply success of the treatment plan that can provide esthetic and occlusal requirements. In this case report, the multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of geminated tooth with talon cusp is presented with the clinical and radiographic findings.

Effect of chewing on dental patients with total denture: an experimental study

In this study, we have explored the prospect of assessing and following level of total denture adaptation by use of EMG signals recorded during gum chewing. Total of 14 edentulous patients, 6 women and 8 men, with an average age of 63±9 years, were recruited. Separate EMG recordings were obtained from left and right temporalis and masseter muscles of the patients for a period of 10 seconds, while they were chewing a sugar-free gum on their left and right sides. EMG recordings were repeated at three times: before, right after, and six months after the placement of the denture. We have tried to standardize environmental and individual factors during EMG recordings. The EMG data have been pre-processed and analyzed using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and obtained features were statistically evaluated using the paired sample t-test. Chewing activity on the right and left side is analyzed by making comparisons of muscle activity between before and right-after cases and before and six-months-after denture fixation cases. A comparison between right and left side mastication is also made at different time points. We have suggested and implemented a new test and comparison procedure in order to assess adaptation to denture fixation using EMG analysis. In this study, the results indicate that DWT based EMG analysis is instrumental in evaluating denture adaptation and as time progresses the adaptation to denture and hence chewing efficiency increases in patients with total denture replacement.

Evaluation of relationship between endodontic access cavity types and secondary mesiobuccal canal detection

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Endodontic Access Cavity (EAC) types with MB2 canal detection ratio in the upper first molars.MethodsA total of 60 roots of extracted human maxillary first molars were selected. All teeth were prepared with Point EAC (PEAC), Conservative EAC (CEAC) and Traditional EAC (TEAC) respectively. After each group were completed, extra canal was searched. Preoperative and postoperative tooth weigh was calculated using precise scale. McNemar’s chi-square test and a paired test significant difference were used for statistical analyses.ResultsThe EAC types statistically were changed of tooth tissue loss quantity (p = 0.000). MB2 detection rate of CEAC (%53,3) and TEAC (%60) are higher than statistically that of PEAC (%31.6) (p < 0.05). 8 teeth MB2 canal was detected only with the CBCT images.ConclusionsIn upper molars, CEAC seems reasonable in terms of detected the MB2 canal and removed hard tissue.

Unilateral Absence of Mental Foramen with Surgical Exploration in a Living Human Subject

The mental foramen (MF) is an important anatomic landmark of the mandible, in which the somatic afferent sensory nerve of the mandibular nerve emerges as mental nerve and blood vessels. The identification and actual location of MF are important in order to avoid sensory dysfunction or paresthesia due to mental nerve injury. In the literature there are some rare reports on the anatomical variations of the MF such as its location or presence of accessory foramina. The present report describes the absence of mental foramina on the left side of the mandible, as detected by cone-beam computed tomography before impacted tooth removal and observed directly during surgery.

Bifosfonatlar ve çene kemiğinde görülen osteonekroz

Bisphosphonates, which are synthetic analogues of pyrophosphates are widely used in treatment of in many diseases of bone metabolism. Administration of biphosphanates may cause adverse effects such as osteonecrosis of the jaws. Preventive procedures and early diagnosis are important due to the difficult osteonecrosis management and adverse effects of the patient life. For this reason, it is important to identify the clinical and radiographic features of the bisphosohonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws in order to provide early diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this review is to give the knowledge about bisphosphonates and to draw attention to the important point of diagnosis of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. In addition, prevention and protection of osteonecrosis, which are very important for patients, will be discussed.

ENDODONTİDE KONİK IŞINLI BİLGİSAYARLI TOMOGRAFİ

The radiographs, which were taken for assessing the anatomy of the tooth and its surrounding anatomy, play an important role in the solution conventional radiography techniques provide two dimensional compressed images. CBCT generates three dimensional images at lower cost than conventional computed tomography. The aim of this review is to provide information on CBCT and its potential applications in endodontic practice

Contents Vol. 48, 2014

384 61st ORCA Congress July 2–5, 2014, Greifswald, Germany (available online only) No. 6