Gina D Roque-Torres

Association between maxillary sinus pathologies and healthy teeth

INTRODUCTION The proximity of the roots to the maxillary sinus can create a variety of risks. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the roots of healthy teeth and the maxillary sinus, as well as the occurrence of sinus pathologies. METHODS Three radiologists analyzed 109 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. The Kappa test was used to assess the intra- and inter-rater agreement. The chi-squared test and prevalence ratio were used to test the hypothesis that roots of healthy teeth in the maxillary sinus favored the occurrence of sinus pathologies (p=0.01). RESULTS Intra- and inter-rater agreement ranged from good to excellent. The chi-squared test demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p=0.006) between the tooth roots in diseased maxillary sinuses (6.09%) and those in normal sinuses (3.43%). The prevalence ratio test showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of tooth roots in diseased sinuses than in normal sinuses (p<0.0001). Roots in the maxillary sinus were 1.82 times more associated with diseased sinuses. CONCLUSION Dental roots in the maxillary sinus are almost twice as likely to be associated with diseased sinuses than normal sinuses. Healthy teeth whose roots are inside the maxillary sinus may induce an inflammatory response in the sinus membrane. It is suspected that dental procedures may exacerbate the condition.

Detection of bifid mandibular condyle by panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography

Aim: To compare panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the diagnosis of bifid mandibular condyle. Methods: The sample consisted of 350 individuals who underwent panoramic radiography and CBCT. In the panoramic radiographs and CBCT images, the presence or absence of bifid mandibular condyle was determined. Results: Presence of bifid mandibular condyle was detected in four cases (1.1%). In all cases, the relation of one condylar process to the other was mediolateral and history of trauma was reported. None of the individuals had symptoms. In two cases, panoramic radiography did not reveal the presence of bifid mandibular condyle. Conclusions: Initial screening for bifid mandibular condyle can be performed by panoramic radiography; however, CBCT images can reveal morphological changes and the exact orientation of the condyle heads.

Correlation between the position of hyoid bone and subregions of the pharyngeal airway space in lateral cephalometry and cone beam computed tomography

OBJECTIVE To correlate the pharyngeal airway subregions with the positioning of the hyoid bone. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study examined 107 lateral cephalometric (LC) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Linear and volumetric measurements of the pharyngeal subregions were made and correlated to linear measurements using hyoid triangle analysis on images of LC and multiplanar (MPR) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of CBCT. RESULTS There was significant correlation between linear measurements of the pharyngeal subregions and hyoid bone position in LC images and in MPR and 3D reconstructions of the CBCT. Correlations were more frequent in the oropharynx and hypopharynx, especially for LC images. No correlations were observed between LC images or CBCT reconstructions and the volumetric measurements of the pharyngeal subregions and the position of the hyoid bone. CONCLUSION The hyoid bone position showed more correlations with oropharynx and hypopharynx airway measurements. The hyoid triangle method was not applicable to 3D images, since it showed a smaller number of measures correlated to the hyoid bone position.