Assessment of Digital Intraoral Periapical Radiograph for the Detection of Apical Root Resorption in Inflammatory Periapical Pathologies: A Radiovisiography Study

Introduction Resorption often takes the form of external inflammatory root resorption. Apical periodontitis or an apical cyst is the most typical cause of external inflammatory root resorption. Failure of endodontic treatment can occur if severe apical root resorption occurs.This is due to the difficulty of reaching these sites.Apical root resorption is usually discovered during routine radiographs and is usually in its later stages. If the lesion is advanced, extraction is the only viable solution. An accurate diagnosis of incipient root resorption is essential. This research is designed to analyze the effectiveness of digital intraoral periapical radiographs in assessing apical root resorption (ARR) related to periapical pathologies. Material and methods This cross-sectional radiographic observational research was conducted in a dental college and hospital in central India. Radiovisiography (RVG) images of 190 patients' teeth with inflammatory periapical pathologies were evaluated to determine the presence or absence of resorption in the apical area of the root. After the radiographic assessment of the apical root resorption, the extraction of the affected teeth was done under all aseptic conditions. The periapical tissue was sent for histological analysis and the extracted tooth sample was examined for the presence or absence of apical root resorption. Results In comparison to apical periodontitis, the proportion of severe root resorption patients was significantly higher in abscess and periapical granuloma. Using Pearson's Chi-square test, the difference in patient proportions according to the kind of resorption in the three radiological diagnosis groups was statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0058. Conclusion It was concluded that on radiographic examination, digital intraoral periapical radiographs were found to be accurate in determining periapical apical pathologies and apical root resorption.

Comparative evaluation of implant stability and crestal bone level between tapered and cylindrical implants in the posterior regions of the mandible: A prospective, randomized, split-mouth clinical trial

Purpose

To compare the clinical outcome of tapered and cylindrical implants placed in the posterior region of mandible by measuring implant stability and crestal bone level at the healing period.

Materials and Methods

A prospective clinical study was conducted on 15 patients who were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 30 dental implants were placed in both groups: 15 implants in Group I (tapered implants) and 15 implants in Group II (cylindrical implants) in the posterior region of mandible. Implant stability assessment by periotest was done at the time of implant placement (baseline) and after 3 months. The crestal bone level was measured with the help of radiovisiography (RVG) at the time of implant placement (baseline) and at 3 and 6 months.

Results

At baseline, there was statistically significant (P < 0.01) difference in primary implant stability. Tapered implants had higher primary implant stability than cylindrical implants. However, at 3 months, there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) difference in the secondary implant stability of both the groups. Also, the crestal bone level on the mesial and distal sides of dental implant for tapered and cylindrical implants was statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05) at all time intervals, that is, at baseline and at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion

Tapered implants had higher primary stability than cylindrical implants, and no difference was found in secondary stability. The crestal bone level was similar for both groups during early healing and early post-loading periods.

Reliability of Using Texture Analysis of Periapical Radiographs Obtained Using Radiovisiography for Assessing Bone Quality in Dental Implant Planning: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Pre-prosthetic implant radiographic imaging helps in the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the bone structure and also enables the evaluation of the relationship between critical structures and potential implant sites. Purpose The aim of the study was to define the reliability of utilizing the analysis of textures from the periapical radiographic images obtained through Radiovisiography (RVG) in order to better plan for dental implantations. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using 50 intraoral periapical radiographs which were obtained through RVG performed prior to the placement of implants. The radiographs were segregated based on anatomical locations i.e. 12 for the anterior maxilla, nine for the posterior maxilla, seven for the anterior mandible, and 22 for the posterior mandible. Each of the radiographs was visually assessed by four experienced examiners, namely a Prosthodontist E1, Periodontist E2, Oral surgeon E3, and Oral radiologist E4, which was then compared to an experienced operator's tactile perception during a pilot drill for implant placement. As a reference, the Lekholm and Zarb classification was provided to all the examiners for them to qualitatively assess the bone structure in the radiographs. Results The examiners' results were correlated with the assessment provided by the experienced operator. E1 and E4 successfully assessed 42% of the radiographs while E2 had the least success with only 26%. Of the 12 anterior maxillary radiographs, only eight were accurately assessed by E1. With respect to the posterior maxilla, all examiners correctly assessed four radiographs each. Of the seven anterior mandibular radiographs, except for E2, the rest correctly assessed three radiographs each. Of the 22 posterior mandibular radiographs, only nine were accurately assessed by E4. Conclusion Intraoral periapical radiographs obtained through RVG did not meet the desired parameters for assessing the bone quality during the planning stage for implants.

ATM technique - A novel radiographic technique to assess the position of Buccal Shelf Implants

OBJECTIVES

Success of the buccal shelf implants depends on its proper placement. Radiographic techniques like cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), posteroanterior cephalogram (PA cephalogram) have been used to evaluate the position of buccal shelf implant placement. However, these techniques have disadvantages like increased radiation exposure, metal artefact, less availability in dental offices and are more expensive.The aim of Arvind's Trans Mandibular (ATM) technique is to overcome this drawback by using an intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) film or radiovisiography (RVG) sensor to assess the post-operative placement of buccal shelf implants.

METHODS

Radiographs were taken for four patients after the placement of buccal shelf implants. The IOPA sensor was placed beneath the lower border of the mandible using this modified extra oral technique to access the position of the buccal shelf implants in relation to the adjacent molars. The findings from the IOPA image were verified with CBCT images.

RESULTS

The radiographic images taken using ATM technique were compared with the gold standard CBCT technique. The ATM technique was able to accurately assess the postoperative bucco-lingual position of the implant with respect to the roots of molars in all the four cases. The proximity of the implant to the roots of the molar can be clearly visualized in all the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

ATM is a novel radiographic technique using IOPA radiographic film or RVG sensor to assess the post-operative bucco-lingual placement of buccal shelf implants in relation to lower molar roots.

Age estimation using exfoliative cytology and radiovisiography: A comparative study

Introduction:

Age estimation is one of the essential factors in establishing the identity of an individual. Among various methods, exfoliative cytology (EC) is a unique, noninvasive technique, involving simple, and pain-free collection of intact cells from the oral cavity for microscopic examination.

Objective:

The study was undertaken with an aim to estimate the age of an individual from the average cell size of their buccal smears calculated using image analysis morphometric software and the pulp–tooth area ratio in mandibular canine of the same individual using radiovisiography (RVG).

Materials and Methods:

Buccal smears were collected from 100 apparently healthy individuals. After fixation in 95% alcohol, the smears were stained using Papanicolaou stain. The average cell size was measured using image analysis software (Image-Pro Insight 8.0). The RVG images of mandibular canines were obtained, pulp and tooth areas were traced using AutoCAD 2010 software, and area ratio was calculated. The estimated age was then calculated using regression analysis.

Results:

The paired t-test between chronological age and estimated age by cell size and pulp–tooth area ratio was statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

In the present study, age estimated by pulp–tooth area ratio and EC yielded good results.

Predetermination of root canal lengths in molar teeth: A comparison between radiovisiography and two-dimensional and three-dimensional measurements using cone-beam computed tomography

Introduction:

Obtaining a correct working length is critical to the success of endodontic therapy. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the effect of working length determination using radiovisiography (RVG) and two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurements using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods:

Thirty mandibular teeth were taken and three groups of 10 each were made. Teeth with previous endodontic treatments, metal restorations, resorptions, incomplete apex formations, and multiple visible foramina were excluded. The root canal length was determined using RVG, CBCT measurement method 2D, and CBCT measurement method 3D. The difference between CBCT measurements, RVG, and the actual canal length were compared to evaluate the accuracy of each method.

Results:

No significant statistically difference was seen with 3D measurements and actual measurements. Measurements with RVG were better than CBCT 2D.

Conclusion:

Under experimental conditions, CBCT 3D measurements are accurate than RVG and CBCT 2D in the determination of root canal length.

Imaging techniques in endodontics: an overview

This review provides an overview of the relevance of imaging techniques such as, computed tomography, cone beam computed tomography, and ultrasound, to endodontic practice. Many limitations of the conventional radiographic techniques have been overcome by the newer methods. Advantages and disadvantages of various imaging techniques in endodontic practice are also discussed.