Image Post-Processing in Dental Practice

Image post-processing of dental digital radiographs, a function which used commonly in dental practice is presented in this article. Digital radiography has been available in dentistry for more than 25 years and its use by dental practitioners is steadily increasing. Digital acquisition of radiographs enables computer-based image post-processing to enhance image quality and increase the accuracy of interpretation. Image post-processing applications can easily be practiced in dental office by a computer and image processing programs. In this article, image post-processing operations such as image restoration, image enhancement, image analysis, image synthesis, and image compression, and their diagnostic efficacy is described. In addition this article provides general dental practitioners with a broad overview of the benefits of the different image post-processing operations to help them understand the role of that the technology can play in their practices. (Eur J Dent 2009;3:343-347)

General health and oral health status in elderly dental patients in Isparta, Turkey

The aim of this study was to describe the oral health, general health status and medication use of elderly dental patients 709 voluntary patients, aged 60 years and over, who attended Suleyman Demirel University Faculty of Dentistry for routine dental treatment between March 2008 and April 2009 in Isparta, Turkey, were interviewed for demographic data, systemic diseases, and lists of medications. The majority of the patients (84.4%) had poor oral hygiene according to the Oral Hygiene Index (OHI). The mean level of the study population's decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index score was 19.1 ± 7.3. The prevalence of systemic diseases was high (90%). Women were affected by a significantly higher incidence of systemic diseases than men (96.4% vs. 84.3%; P < 0.001). The percentage of the elderly taking medication regularly was 72.6%. Drug adverse effects were determined in 25.5% of the study population, with more adverse effects observed in women (53.3%) than men (46.7%) (P < 0.001).Dentists must be aware of the dental implications that may arise from systemic diseases and medications and should properly modify elderly patients' treatment accordingly.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings of the temporomandibular joint and masticatory muscles in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and masticatory muscles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Twenty-eight RA patients and 29 healthy subjects were participated in the study. The patient underwent clinical and laboratory investigation. DAS28 scores were calculated. Lateral panoramic radiography was performed to evaluate condylar erosion and condylar movement. Craniofacial MRI was performed to evaluate TMJ and masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles' thickness, and cross-sectional area. It was found that the mean maximal interincisal distance, range of lateral, retrusive (P < 0.05) and protrusive motion were all lesser in RA group. Lateral panoramic radiography revealed a distinct erosion in 10.7% (3/28) and restricted condylar movement in 53.6% (15/28) of RA patients. Two RA patients demonstrating marked condylar erosion in lateral panoramic radiographs were RF negative and had DAS28 scores 3.41 and 4.61. MRI findings revealed condylar erosion and effusion in one RA patient and atrophic changes of masticatory muscles in another patient. There was no statistical significance between RA and healthy groups for the thickness and cross-sectional areas of the masticatory muscles. RA group revealed a strong linear relationship for the right and left muscle thickness and cross-sectional areas in regression analysis. TMJ symptoms are frequent findings and thought to be affected from mean disease duration in RA. Laboratory findings should be considered for disease activity-related TMJ involvement. RA patients did not present muscular atrophy or hypertrophy.

Early Diagnosis of Oral Cancer

Survival rates for oral cancer are very poor, at approximately 50% overall, and have not improved markedly in recent decades despite advances in therapeutic interventions. Detecting oral cancer at an early stage is believed to be the most effective means of reducing rates of death, morbidity and disfigurement from this disease. Tobacco and alcohol consumption and pre-malign lesions are the most common aetiological factors. The proportion of patients presenting with oral cancer at an advanced stage is troubling. Early diagnosis is the most effective way of reducing the individual burden of the disease, decreasing morbidity and mortality and improving quality of life. For early diagnosis, healthcare providers should perform oral cancer examinations as part of their patient care regime, and need to be knowledgeable about early signs of oral carcinoma. Oral cancer awareness among the public should also be improved.

Image post-processing in dental practice

Image post-processing of dental digital radiographs, a function which used commonly in dental practice is presented in this article. Digital radiography has been available in dentistry for more than 25 years and its use by dental practitioners is steadily increasing. Digital acquisition of radiographs enables computer-based image post-processing to enhance image quality and increase the accuracy of interpretation. Image post-processing applications can easily be practiced in dental office by a computer and image processing programs. In this article, image post-processing operations such as image restoration, image enhancement, image analysis, image synthesis, and image compression, and their diagnostic efficacy is described. In addition this article provides general dental practitioners with a broad overview of the benefits of the different image post-processing operations to help them understand the role of that the technology can play in their practices.

A non-syndrome case with bilateral supernumerary canines: report of a rare case

Supernumerary teeth are described as the teeth formed in excess of the normal dental formula. Prevalence of supernumerary teeth varies between 0.1% and 3.8% in general Caucasian population. They have been reported in both the primary and the permanent dentition. Supernumerary teeth may occur in any region of the dental arch. However, a supernumerary tooth in the canine region is a rare condition and to our knowledge, a non-syndrome case with bilateral supplemental maxillary canines did not exist in the literature. It was the aim of this report to evaluate this rare case in view of both oral radiology and orthodontics.

Prevalence of tooth transpositions and associated dental anomalies in a Turkish population

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of tooth transposition in a Turkish population, possibly associated dental anomalies and whether side laterality, gender expression or genetic influence exist or not.

METHODS

Panoramic radiographs of 5486 patients referred to Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, University of Suleyman Demirel between April 2003 and March 2004 were examined retrospectively. All patients with tooth transpositions were recalled for detailed clinical examination and medical history. Age, sex, history (trauma), location of transposition, and associated congenital dental anomalies were recorded with details.

RESULTS

22 transpositions were found in 21 of 5486 (0.38%) patients. The most frequently seen transposition was maxillary canine-lateral incisor (1.64/1000), secondly maxillary canine-first premolar (0.91/1000) and maxillary canine-second premolar (0.18/1000) was the least frequently seen one. The frequencies of right and left side occurrence were equal (11/11). Each sex was affected similarly (11 males, 10 females).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of tooth transposition was 0.38% in a Turkish population. Maxillary canine-lateral incisor transposition was found to have a higher frequency than maxillary canine-first premolar transposition. Maxillary canine-second premolar transposition that had not been previously reported in the literature was observed in one of our cases. Transpositions had similar frequencies in both sexes.

Incidence of canine impaction and transmigration in a patient population

In this study, 4500 consecutive panoramic radiographs were prospectively reviewed. The incidence of canine impaction was found to be 3.58% and the incidence of canine transmigration was 0.31%. There were six maxillary and eight mandibular transmigrant canines. The incidence of impacted canine teeth and transmigration of maxillary and mandibular canines may be more frequent than was previously thought, at least in some populations.

Multiple impacted permanent and deciduous teeth

Multiple impacted teeth may be related to syndromes and metabolic disorders. In some cases, however, impaction of multiple teeth is not accompanied by a fixed complex of symptoms. A 55-year-old woman attended our clinic, as she was not comfortable with her prosthetic appliances because of erupted teeth. Panoramic and occlusal radiographs revealed 13 impacted teeth (12 permanent and 1 deciduous) in the maxilla and 15 impacted teeth (11 permanent and 4 deciduous) in the mandible. In total the patient had 28 impacted teeth. In our case, medical and family history and extraoral examination were not suggestive of any syndrome or metabolic disorder. In conclusion, radiographic examination may reveal multiple impactions in clinical absence of teeth. Lack of eruptive force and rotation of tooth buds may cause multiple impactions and additional examinations may be necessary to exclude systemic and metabolic conditions.

Transmigration of impacted canines

Pre-eruptive migration of a tooth across the midline is termed "transmigration". This condition has not been reported for teeth other than mandibular canines. Bilateral transmigration is extremely rare, and associated pathological lesions are also reported. The aim of this report is to present the first case of maxillary canine transmigration as well as additional cases of transmigrated mandibular canines, with special emphasis on their classification.