Optimizing radiation safety in dentistry: Clinical recommendations and regulatory considerations.

Background: The value of dental radiographs to oral health care decision making must be balanced with radiation safety to minimize patient exposure and occupational risk of oral health care providers. This review summarizes recommendations and regulatory guidance regarding dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. An expert panel presents recommendations on radiation safety, appropriate imaging practices, and reducing radiation exposure.

Effect of 3 different disinfection methods on the image quality of photostimulable phosphor plates.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 3 disinfection protocols on the quality of images acquired with a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate system.

Study Design: Thirty DIGORA Optime PSP plates were divided into 3 groups of 10. Group 1 was disinfected with 95% ethanol.

Cone beam computed tomography: What's left to know?

The use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry has grown exponentially since its inception and that trend continues. Though CBCT has become routine to some, its popularity in dentistry only demonstrates that education in CBCT is needed now more than ever. This presentation covers key components to consider when purchasing a CBCT unit and describes concepts in interpretation and radiation safety.

The importance of the ANSI ADA Standard for digital intraoral radiographic systems-a pragmatic approach to quality assurance.

The need for quality assurance (QA) for digital dental radiography has existed since the introduction of digital imaging; however, the methods and phantoms required to achieve it were not available. This resulted in a chaotic approach to address QA based largely upon subjective analysis of image quality. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Dental Association (ADA) Quality Assurance Standard 1094 for Digital Intraoral Radiographic Systems (DIRS) presents a paradigm shift to a scientific and objective method of QA rather than one based on subjective assessments.

Cryoanalgesia is Associated With Decreased Postoperative Opioid Use in Minimally Invasive Repair of Pectus Excavatum.

Background: Postoperative pain control is challenging after pectus excavatum repair. We aimed to understand the impact that cryoanalgesia had on opioid utilization and outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum (MIRPE).

Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted of all patients (< 18 y) who underwent MIRPE (2011-2019).

Osteosarcoma of the jaws: Report of 3 cases with emphasis on the early clinical and radiographic signs.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of the jaws and is treated by radical surgical resection. Early detection is crucial because removing the lesion with clean margins contributes most to the outcome. We present 3 cases of osteosarcoma occurring in the interradicular region of the mandible, 2 of which were thought to represent nonmalignant processes upon initial presentation.

The role of software in quality assurance for indirect digital intraoral imaging.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate inherent image quality and the effects of software changes on image quality by using photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.

Study Design: Six new DIGORA Optime PSP plates (Soredex/Orion Corp., Helsinki, Finland) were used to assess inherent image quality and the effect of software settings on image quality.

Cdc48/VCP and Endocytosis Regulate TDP-43 and FUS Toxicity and Turnover.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron degenerative disease. TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein 43) and FUS (fused in sarcoma) are aggregation-prone RNA-binding proteins that in ALS can mislocalize to the cytoplasm of affected motor neuron cells, often forming cytoplasmic aggregates in the process. Such mislocalization and aggregation are implicated in ALS pathology, though the mechanism(s) of TDP-43 and FUS cytoplasmic toxicity remains unclear.

Postprocessing of all-zirconia restorations in digital dental radiographs: a quality assurance predicament.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe a quality assurance issue, that is, the production of nondiagnostic high-contrast radiographs when imaging teeth restored with all-zirconia crowns on bitewing radiographs.

Study Design: All-zirconia crowns were imaged with DIGORA Optime photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates (Soredex/Orion Corp., Helsinki, Finland).

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Education on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Objectives: As the use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in dentistry continues to grow, questions related to appropriate radiation safety, training, and interpretation arise. Recognizing this need, the American Dental Association published an advisory statement for the safe use of CBCT in dentistry and recommended that guidelines for appropriate training be established. The purpose of this study was to assess radiation safety concerns related to CBCT and identify voids in current education on CBCT for the predoctoral dental curriculum and continuing dental education.

Fish scale artefact on an intraoral imaging receptor.

Objectives: To describe an artefact, termed the fish scale artefact, present on an intraoral imaging receptor.

Methods: Thirty brand new DIGORA Optime photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates (Soredex/Orion Corp., Helsinki, Finland) were imaged using the dental digital quality assurance radiographic phantom (Dental Imaging Consultants LLC, San Antonio, TX).

Perception versus reality-findings from a phosphor plate quality assurance study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the image quality of a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate system to determine if image degradation has occurred after a number of clinical uses.

Study Design: Twenty DIGORA Optime PSP plates (Soredex Orion Corp., Helsinki, Finland) were imaged throughout clinical use.

Cone-beam CT analysis of patients with obstructive sleep apnea compared to normal controls.

Purpose: To evaluate the upper airway dimensions of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and control subjects using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) unit commonly applied in clinical practice in order to assess airway dimensions in the same fashion as that routinely employed in a clinical setting.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective analysis utilizing existing CBCT scans to evaluate the dimensions of the upper airway in OSA and control subjects. The CBCT data of sixteen OSA and sixteen control subjects were compared.