Maria Beatriz Carrazzone Cal Alonso

Assessment of Panoramic Radiomorphometric Indices of the Mandible in a Brazilian Population

The aim of this study was to evaluate radiomorphometric indices in dental panoramic radiographs in order to identify possible interrelationships between these indices and the sex and age of the patients analyzed. The study included 1287 digital panoramic radiographic images of patients that were grouped into five age groups (1 = age 17–20; 2 = age 21–35; 3 = age 36–55; 4 = age 56–69; 5 = over age 70). Two indices—cortical width at the gonion (GI) and below the mental foramen (MI)—were measured bilaterally in all panoramic radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 0.05). Results for the indices measurements showed significant differences among patient age groups of both sexes, considering that groups 4 and 5 presented lower values for the cortical width of both indices. The present paper supports the role of sex- and age-related changes in mandibular radiomorphometric indices in identifying skeletal osteopenia.

Morphodigital study of bone quality in the mandibular angle in patients with third molar impacted

The aim of this study was to analyze if the presence of impacted third molars, and their positions in the mandibular angle, can change the bone quality in this area, considering the measure of the cortical thickness in this region as representative or not for mandible fracture risk. Software was used to analyze 50 digital images from panoramic radiographs of patients who had one or two impacted third molars in the mandible, and 30 digital images of patients with agenesis of the mandibular third molar. The thickness of the cortical region of the mandible was measured; it was possible to draw a parallel line to the posterior portion of the mandible and a parallel line to the body of this bone on each side of the image. At the intersection of these lines near the distal portion of the second molar, another line was set up to serve as reference in the cortical thickness measurement. It could be concluded that the cortical thickness of the mandibular angle in male patients without impacted third molars was greater than the thickness in patients with these teeth, and no difference in thickness was found for the female group.

Incidental findings in patients evaluated with cone beam computed tomography for orthodontic treatment

ABSTRACT ObjectiveThe aim of this retrospective study was to determine and quantify incidental findings in CBCT scans taken exclusively for orthodontic purposes. MethodsA total of 202 scans were evaluated by two examiners and classified into five different groups. ResultsA total of 227 incidental findings were found in a sample of patients aged 5-58 years old. The highest number of findings was of dental origin (n = 157), followed by airway (N = 46), skull (N = 16) and ATM (n = 8). Scans with no incidental finding accounted for 20% of the examinations. Subjects having lower mean age were found in the group of airway findings. The prevalence of incidental findings in the current study was consistent with the literature, thus corroborating their high frequency. Orthodontists who make use of CBCT are responsible for assessment of all data. ConclusionThe precise evaluation of incidental findings may help in the early diagnosis, treatment and patient monitoring. Further studies should be conducted to assess the influence of these findings on the orthodontic treatment.Indexing terms: Diagnostic imaging. Incidental findings. Orthodontics.

3D Morphology Analysis of TMJ Articular Eminence in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Purpose The objective of this study was to evaluate the computational reconstruction of the articular eminence of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and semiautomatic volumetric segmentation techniques for morphological classification of the TMJ structure. Materials and Methods A total of 36 MRI scans of TMJ individuals were selected and formatted by using the ITK-SNAP software, consisting of MRI segmentation and generation of 3D models. The TMJ articular eminences were also classified according to the morphology analysis of the articular eminence in 3D reconstructions. Two independent trained and calibrated investigators performed the image analysis, which was repeated after thirty days. Results There was no association between sex and eminence shape (p = 0.456). Fishers test revealed no statistically significant association between disc classification and eminence shape on both sides (p = 0.629). Chi-square test showed a significant statistically association between disc classification and disc displacement (p = 0.000). Intra- and interrater correlation coefficients showed excellent reproducibility values. Conclusions Anatomical variability of the sample investigated was found, with predominantly round shape and presence of correlation between this shape and normal disc position. The correlation of flattened and convex shapes with disc position reduction indicated that type of disc derangement is more prevalent.