Prevalence of root dilacerations in Central Anatolian Turkish dental patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine, retrospectively, the prevalence and distribution of the dilaceration of the root for each tooth-type in a sample of Central Anatolian Turkish population by using panoramic radiographs.

METHOD

Panoramic radiograhs of 6912 patients (3860 women and 3052 men, mean age 29.04 years, range, 15 to 50 years) were examined for the presence of root dilacerations. Chi-square test was also used to compare the prevalence of dilacerations between male and female subjects and upper and lower jaws.

RESULTS

Data showed that 1108 (16.0%) of these subjects had one or more teeth that were dilacerated and these were detected in 466 (15.2%) males and 642 (16.6%) females. Statistical analysis (chi2 test) showed a significant difference in the prevalence of dilaceration among male and female patients. Mandibular third molars were dilacerated most often (3.76%), followed by mandibular second molars (1.81%). Dilaceration was found in 1.23% of maxillary second premolars and 1.23% of mandibular second molars.

CONCLUSION

Root dilacerations are not uncommon among Turkish dental patients, and their early detection could be important in treatment problems associated with it. However further larger scale studies are required to assess its prevalence in the general population in order to compare it with other ethnic groups.

Pathological findings in a sample of Mexican pediatric patients. Clinical and radiographic survey

AIM

The findings of a clinical-radiological review of 467 children attending the Oral Diagnosis Clinic of the Facultad de Odontología, UNAM, Mexico, are presented.

METHODS

All patients were clinically reviewed, clinical history was taken, and an orthopantomogram obtained by last year dentistry students. Patients and radiographs were then reviewed by the panel and all alterations in teeth, soft tissues and bone were recorded.

RESULTS

Clinical and/or radiographic alterations were found in 132 (28.26%) children. The main alterations were developmental (75%) and inflammatory/infectious and traumatic (6.06% each). The most common entities were: supernumeraries (30.77%); hypodontia (29.7%); osteosclerotic lesions and microdontia (4.4% each).

CONCLUSION

The data on the frequency of alterations in the pediatric population attending at our institution reinforce the importance of this kind of study in efforts to improve the quality of stomatologic services in the pediatric population.

A comparative diagnostic assessment of anterior tooth and bone status using panoramic and periapical radiography

AIMS

The aim of the present study was to compare diagnostic assessments of anterior tooth and bone status in a randomised cohort of pre-orthodontic patients using panoramic and periapical radiographs.

METHOD

Four hundred and forty-four cases with matched periapical and panoramic radiographs were examined by three observers. Two were final-year postgraduate endodontic students and the other, a final-year Honours degree dental student. Multi-rater Kappa values were used to assess the reliability of the observers, with a value of 1 equating to complete agreement.

RESULTS

With the exception of endodontic Class 1 and 2 palatal invaginations, reliability exceeded 0.95 for all three observers. An assessment of the graduate endodontic students revealed only a marginal increase in the kappa values. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05) determined that developmental anomalies or tooth/bone pathoses were more reliably detected by observers using periapical radiographs compared with panoramic films. This finding has relevance given the likelihood of anterior dental trauma among young children.

CONCLUSION

While there have been considerable improvements in the quality of dental panoramic radiography, the present study indicated that a reliable pre-orthodontic or post-trauma diagnostic assessment should include both panoramic and intra-oral radiographs.

Correlation of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings in the maxillary sinus with dental diagnoses: a retrospective cross-sectional study

This study was conducted to assess the coincidence of mucosal hyperplasia in the maxillary sinus and related clinical diagnoses of posterior maxillary teeth found in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. A total of 204 patients who underwent CBCT examinations between 2006 and 2008 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical and CBCT findings were correlated using patient records. Absolute frequencies, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for statistical evaluations. There was a pronounced association between periodontitis and radiological signs of sinusitis. Basal mucosal wall thickening was more likely in patients with decayed and non-vital teeth compared to patients with sound teeth (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 1.2-23.1). Basal mucosal wall thickening was also more likely than total mucosal thickening (OR = 10.4; 95% CI = 2.6-42.2). Patients with decayed and endodontically treated teeth were more likely to exhibit involvement of the basal wall (OR = 9.2; 95% CI = 3.3-25.2) than were patients with healthy teeth. CBCT examinations revealed a correlation between basal mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinus and decayed posterior maxillary teeth or periodontitis. Chronic symptoms involving the sinuses are one of the most common reasons for patients to consult physicians. One reason for chronic orofacial pain is the prevalence of undiagnosed sinus conditions.

Oral and radiographic findings in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the oral status, cortical and spongy bone density of the mandible, and dental pulp calcification between the patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Thirteen end stage renal disease patients undergoing CAPD and 17 age- and sex- matched healthy volunteers were enrolled. The questionnaires, oral radiography, and intraoral examination, including number of decayed teeth, filled teeth, missing teeth, plaque index, gingival index, calculus index, and oral hygiene index were performed in both groups. Two views of oral radiology, comprising panoramic and bite-wing radiographs, were taken to evaluate mandibular bone density and pulp calcification. The data were analyzed with t-test and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS

Both groups were similar in baseline demographics, including age, sex, and education. Plaque index, calculus index, and oral hygiene index of the CAPD patients were significantly worse than the controls' (p = 0.025, 0.015, and 0.014, respectively). Percentage of decayed teeth and missing teeth of the CAPD patients had a trend to be higher than control. The percentage of filled teeth, decayed missing filling tooth (DMFT) index, sum of percentage DMFT, gingival index, average of spongy and cortical bone densities, and the percentage of pulp calcification were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

CAPD had poorer oral hygiene than the healthy; however; DMFT pulp calcification, and bone density were not differenct from the healthy. This urges the medical personnel to examine all CAPD patients in order to prevent hematogenous spreading of occult oral infection.

Cone beam computed tomography in the diagnosis of dental disease

Conventional radiographs provide important information for dental disease diagnosis. However, they represent 2-D images of 3-D objects with significant structure superimposition and unpredictable magnification. Cone beam computed tomography, however, allows true 3-D visualization of the dentoalveolar structures, avoiding major limitations of conventional radiographs. Cone beam computed tomography images offer great advantages in disease detection for selected patients. The authors discuss cone beam computed tomography applications in dental disease diagnosis, reviewing the pertinent literature when available.

Endodontic radiography: who is reading the digital radiograph?

INTRODUCTION

Digital radiographic imaging systems have undergone tremendous improvements since their introduction. Advantages of digital radiographs over conventional films include lower radiation doses compared with conventional films, instantaneous images, archiving and sharing images easily, and manipulation of several radiographic properties that might help in diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 6 observers including 2 endodontic residents, 3 endodontists, and 1 oral radiologist evaluated 150 molar digital periapical radiographs to determine which of the following conditions existed: normal periapical tissue, widened periodontal ligament, or presence of periapical radiolucency. The evaluators had full control over the radiograph's parameters of the Planmeca Dimaxis software program. All images were viewed on the same computer monitor with ideal vie-wing conditions. The same 6 observers evaluated the same 150 digital images 3 months later. The data were analyzed to determine how well the evaluators agreed with each other (interobserver agreement) for 2 rounds of observations and with themselves (intraobserver agreement).

RESULTS

Fleiss kappa statistical analysis was used to measure the level of agreement among multiple raters. The overall Fleiss kappa value for interobserver agreement for the first round of interpretation was 0.34 (P < .001). The overall Fleiss kappa value for interobserver agreement for the second round of interpretation was 0.35 (P < .001). This resulted in fair (0.2-0.4) agreement among the 6 raters at both observation periods. A weighted kappa analysis was used to determine intraobserver agreement, which showed on average a moderate agreement.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that the interpretation of a dental radiograph is subjective, irrespective of whether conventional or digital radiographs are used. The factors that appeared to have the most impact were the years of experience of the examiner and familiarity of the operator with a given digital system.

Radiography and computed tomography in the diagnosis of nonneoplastic equine mandibular disease

We compared the information gained from computed tomography (CT) vs. radiography in horses with nonneoplastic disease of the mandible. We hypothesized that CT would provide additional diagnostic information. Medical records, radiographs, and CT images of horses with nonneoplastic mandibular disease evaluated between 1994 and 2008 were reviewed. Nineteen horses were identified; 11 had a tooth root abscess and related disease, four had a fracture of the teeth and/or mandible, and four had a nonneoplastic mass. Both CT images and radiographs allowed identification of diseased teeth that appeared clinically normal otherwise. CT allowed identification of teeth that were clinically affected but appeared normal radiographically. Parameters such as tooth pulp involvement, lamina dura destruction, presence of bone fragments, lingual and buccal mandibular bone periosteal reaction, and cortical bone destruction were more conspicuous with CT. Performing radiography and CT in horses with nonneoplastic mandibular disease provides a more complete evaluation than either technique alone. CT contributes additional information that could otherwise be overlooked with radiographs alone in horses with a mandibular fracture. CT provides ancillary information to radiographs in horses with dental infection or a nonneoplastic mass of the mandible.

Cone beam computed tomography in the diagnosis of dental disease

Conventional radiographs provide important information for dental disease diagnosis. However, they represent 2-D images of 3-D objects with significant structure superimposition and unpredictable magnification. Cone beam computed tomography, however, allows true 3-D visualization of the dentoalveolar structures, avoiding major limitations of conventional radiographs. Cone beam computed tomography images offer great advantages in disease detection for selected patients. The authors discuss cone beam computed tomography applications in dental disease diagnosis, reviewing the pertinent literature when available.

[Endodontal and periodontal aspects of root perforations]

The purpose of treatment of perforations is to achieve a tight and permanent seal that will prevent bacteria and their by-products in the root canal from entering into the surrounding periodontal tissues. It is important to consider the type of perforation according to the classification for selection of the proper material and technique for each case. Modern techniques for treatment of perforations by orthograde and surgical approach result in prolonged survival of the tooth.

Laser-assisted treatment of a dentigerous cyst: case report

Dentigerous cysts are benign maxillary odontogenic cysts associated with the crown of an unerupted tooth. They can expand the cortical bone to such an extent that they cause displacement of teeth and root resorption in the adjacent teeth. The purpose of this report was to describe the clinical case of a dentigerous cyst in a mandibular permanent molar of a 6-year-old child. The cyst caused the displacement of the bud of the permanent second molar and root resorption of the primary second molar. The cyst was treated by: (1) mucous fenestration using an erbium laser: (2) drainage of the fluid content; and (3) curettage of the bone cavity. The injury was successfully resolved in just 5 months with: (1) bone regeneration; (2) the repositioning of the displaced bud; and (3) correct eruption of the affected tooth.

Paleopathology and osteobiography of the people of Peñuelas, Chile's semiarid north

The Museo de La Serena, IV Region, Chile has collections of skeletal remains representing the agricultural Diaguita people of 500 years ago excavated in the 1980s from the sites Peñuelas 21 and 24, Chile's semiarid north. Their excellent preservation has permitted an osteobiographical and radiographic analysis to better understand the patterns of the disease. This research continues the osteological analyses begun in 1989 by Rosado that seek to understand the impact the transition to and adoption of farming had on the health of prehistoric populations. Because of the significance of paleopathology in the understanding of cultural and biological adaptations, it has also become necessary to assess the preservation status and design a conservation protocol to protect and document the remains. The objectives of this communication are to: establish demographic patterns of the skeletal samples and identify and diagnose skeletal paleopathologies via photography and radiographs. Intentional cranial alteration, limb and cranial fractures, dental wear, and dental abscesses and caries are among the interesting paleopathologies so far documented. Intentional cranial alteration is very common and is manifested as tabular erect in both males and females. The high frequency of carious lesions indicates a diet that emphasized carbohydrates. Skeletal radiographs are available for several of the individuals in the sample and this has afforded a more detailed description of the paleopathologies originally documented via photography.

Dental panoramic tomography: An approach for the general radiologist

Dental panoramic tomography is commonly presented to radiologists with no dental training for interpretation. An overview of the technique, basic anatomy and nomenclature and common pathology is presented with examples to show the anatomy and nomenclature, the artefacts and common pathology.

Evaluation of the oral health status of the people aged 65 years and over living in near rural district of Middle Anatolia, Turkey

The aim of this study was to assess the oral health status of aged 65 years and over, and evaluate the level of edentulousness and study the factors that could have an influence on edentulism. The participants of this study were 215 patients; 94 males (47.3%) and 121 females (56.3%), aged 65 years and over. Each subject underwent a comprehensive dental and radiographic examination by one examiner. Periodontal attachment loss observed in the panoramic radiographs was divided into three diagnostic categories: infrabony defects, horizontal bone loss, and furcation lesions. The number of teeth with apical periodontitis lesions, the number of carious teeth, and restorations, type of dentures and wear duration, intrabony root remains, impacted teeth, smoking status, educational level and self-reported medical history of the participants were recorded. Extent of tooth loss was significantly higher in females than males and increased with increasing age (p<0.05). Tooth loss was significantly associated with educational levels; lower literacy level was found to be associated with a higher number of missing teeth (p<0.01). Also, as the educational levels of the participants increased, the number of infrabony defects, furcation lesions and number of carious teeth decreased (p<0.05). Low literacy level and female gender are found to be high-risk groups for tooth loss. Community-based oral disease prevention programs should be implemented to reduce the risk for tooth loss in this population.

Morphological and clinical considerations of first and second permanent molar eruption disorders

Tooth eruption is a complex biological process which starts from the site of development in the jaw bone until the teeth reach their final functional position in the chewing plane. Various factors can disturb this process. Besides mechanical obstacles on the eruption path, a pathological position or axial orientation of the tooth germ, morphological aberrations of the tooth or pathological alterations of the periodontium, primary disorders of the eruption mechanism may lead to complete or partial retention of the tooth in the jaw bone. These morphological features bear upon the prognosis of orthodontic correction which is dependent upon the underlying cause. First and second molars are rarely affected by eruption disorders, with a prevalence of 0.01 to 0.08 per cent, however, marked consequences for function such as posterior open bite or elongation of the antagonists may result. Following an overview of pathogenetic factors of tooth eruption disorders, selected cases of impacted first and second permanent molars are presented with respect to their morphological causes.

Pyle's disease: an incidental finding in a routine dental patient

Pyle's disease (PD) or metaphyseal dysplasia is an extremely rare genetic disorder, transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. The peculiarity of the disease is that the striking radiographic manifestations contrast with the relatively normal clinical features. The oral findings and radiographic features of the disease are not well documented. The present paper describes the radiographic features of Pyle's disease in a 17-year-old girl and draws attention to the findings in the jaw bones.

The effect of mineral trioxide aggregate on the apexification and periapical healing of teeth with incomplete root formation

AIM

To evaluate the influence of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on apexification and periapical healing of teeth in dogs with incomplete root formation and previously contaminated canals and to verify the necessity of employing calcium hydroxide paste before using MTA.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty premolars from two 6-month old dogs were used. After access to the root canals and complete removal of the pulp, the canal systems remained exposed to the oral environment for 2 weeks. Canal preparation was then carried out using Hedström files, under irrigation with 1% sodium hypochlorite, 1 mm short of the radiographic apex. After drying, the canals of two premolars in each dog were left empty (control group). The other eight teeth in each animal were divided into two experimental groups. The apical thirds of the canals of group 1 were filled with MTA. In the teeth of group 2, the canals were dressed with a calcium hydroxide-propylene glycol paste. After 1 week, the paste was removed and the apical third was filled with MTA. All teeth were restored with reinforced zinc oxide cement (IRM) and amalgam. The animals were killed 5 months later, and blocks of the teeth and surrounding tissues were submitted to histological processing. The sections were studied to evaluate seven parameters: formation of an apical calcified tissue barrier, level of barrier formation, inflammatory reaction, bone and root resorption, MTA extrusion, and microorganisms. Results of experimental groups were analysed by Wilcoxon's nonparametric tests and by the test of proportions. The critical value of statistical significance was 5%.

RESULTS

Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in relation to the position of barrier formation and MTA extrusion. The barrier was formed in the interior of the canal in 69.2% of roots from MTA group only. In group 2, it was formed beyond the limits of the canal walls in 75% of the roots. MTA extrusion occurred mainly in roots from group 2. There was similarity between the groups for the other parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Mineral trioxide aggregate used after root canal preparation favoured the occurrence of the apexification and periapical healing. The initial use of calcium hydroxide paste was not necessary for apexification to occur, and has shown to be strongly related to the extrusion of MTA and formation of barriers beyond the limits of the root canal walls.

Spread of odontogenic infection originating in the maxillary teeth: computerized tomographic assessment

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathways of infection originating in the maxillary teeth through the interpretation of computerized tomographic (CT) appearances.

STUDY DESIGN

CT images of 78 patients were analyzed with reference to lateral asymmetry of shape and density of fascial spaces and tissues.

RESULTS

Changes in the alveolar cortical plates were observed more frequently in the labial/buccal side than in the palatal side. The facial expression muscles were involved in 23 (19.4%) patients. Infection caused by anterior teeth often spread into the levator labii superioris and levator anguli oris muscles. Deep spread into the fascial space was found in 9 (11.5%) patients. Masticator space changes were predominantly seen in the patients with infection caused by molars. Maxillary sinus changes were found in 57 (71.3%) patients with infection originating in the canines, premolars and molars.

CONCLUSION

Infection spread characteristics are related to the causal teeth, and the pathways were clearly demonstrated on CT images.