Comparison of photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence, intraoral radiography, and cone beam computed tomography for detection of natural caries under restorations.

Objectives: The aim of this ex vivo study was to measure the sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) of a caries diagnostic system based on photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence (PTR/LUM) and compare them with the values for digital intraoral radiography (IR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in detecting recurrent decay.

Study Design: Class 2 composite restorations were prepared on 70 proximal surfaces: 35 with caries and 35 without caries. The gingival floor of the restored surfaces was assessed for caries under the restorations using each of the 3 modalities.

Implementation of a modified quality assurance protocol for CBCT machines within UT health San Antonio School of Dentistry.

Objectives: To implement the quality control assurance protocol (including the re-establishment of baseline data from 2016) to monitor the stability of image quality of CBCT machines located within the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.

Methods And Materials: Five CBCT machines ProMax 3D Mid® (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland), 3D Accuitomo XYZ Slice View Tomograph® (Model MCT-1, Type EX-1F8; Fushimi-ku, Kyoto: J. Morita Mfg.

Evaluation of artifacts generated by titanium, zirconium, and titanium-zirconium alloy dental implants on MRI, CT, and CBCT images: A phantom study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess artifacts generated by zirconium, titanium, and titanium-zirconium alloy implants on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), computed tomography(CT), and cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) and to correlate the findings to the dose-area product and exposure factors on CT and CBCT.

Study Design: Three phantoms were built by embedding zirconium, titanium, and titanium-zirconium implants in ultrasound gel. MRI, CT, and CBCT images were acquired by using multiple sequences and settings.

Cone beam computed tomography image optimization to detect root fractures in endodontically treated teeth: an in vitro (phantom) study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an optimization filter (OF) and voxel size on the accuracy of root fracture detection.

Study Design: Half of 40 endodontically treated roots were fractured, and the other half were left intact. All teeth were randomly placed into 5 bovine ribs.

The effect of milliamperage, number of basis images, and export slice thickness on contrast-to-noise ratio and detection of mandibular canal on cone beam computed tomography scans: an in vitro study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milliamperage, number of basis images, and export slice thickness on contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and confidence in detecting mandibular canal.

Study Design: Two phantoms were used. Each phantom consisted of a dry mandible with an epoxy resin bone tissue substitute block and a water-equivalent block, submerged in water.

Detection of Class II caries on the iPad with Retina Display.

With the increasing use of digital radiography, the display parameters of the devices used to view radiographs have become important factors in caries detection. Interest in the use of tablet devices for this application has increased due to their availability, portability, and ease of use. However, to be effective in clinical situations, these portable devices must have displays that perform well under multiple lighting conditions and at different angles.

How effective is that treatment? The number needed to treat.

The Number Needed to Treat (NNT) is a tool useful for comparing the relative effectiveness of two or more therapeutic or preventive interventions. The NNT may be presented by authors of a clinical research article, or, if not provided, may be calculated by the reader if the authors have reported outcomes as positive or negative per research subject. The NNT is simply calculated as the inverse of the absolute risk reduction.

Teaching evidence-based practice at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio dental school.

The overarching goal of the Evidence-Based Practice Program at San Antonio is to provide our graduates with life-long learning skills that will enable them to keep up-to-date and equip them with the best possible patient care skills during their 30-40 years of practice. Students are taught to (1) ask focused clinical questions, (2) search the biomedical research literature (PubMed) for the most recent and highest level of evidence, (3) critically evaluate the evidence, and (4) make clinical judgments about the applicability of the evidence for their patients. Students must demonstrate competency with these "just-in-time" learning skills through writing concise one-page Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) on focused clinical questions.

Three PubMed skills to support evidence-based dentistry.

The National Library of Medicine's PubMed database can powerfully assist dentists in evidence-based practice. Three useful PubMed skills can improve the efficiency of the clinician's search: (1) Use of MeSH terms; (2) Use of Limits; (3) Use of Clinical Queries.

Practice-based comparison of direct and indirect bonding.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare bond-failure prevalences, numbers of appointments, and treatment times between direct and indirect bracket bonding for patients treated in private orthodontic practices.

Methods: A convenience sample was collected from 11 orthodontic offices; 5 orthodontists (772 patients) used a direct bonding technique, and 6 (596 patients) used an indirect technique. Altogether, they examined 29,963 brackets in 1,368 patients.

Updated quality assurance self-assessment exercise in intraoral and panoramic radiography. American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Radiology Practice Committee.

This updated self-assessment exercise for the dental team by the Radiology Practice Committee of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology is intended to produce the highest quality diagnostic radiographs while keeping patient exposure as low as is reasonably achievable. To continue to provide the best radiographic services to patients, those involved in dental radiography need to be aware of the latest changes and advances in dental radiography and need to use them in their practice.

Conditions and tools for evidence-based dental practice.

Before evidence-based dentistry becomes a norm in practice, several conditions must be met. These include an attitude of questioning authority and training in how to use the literature, a supportive environment from colleagues and practice-based research. Some new tools--in the form of journals with more user-friendly formats and direct access to databases--are also necessary.

Short-term changes of condylar position after sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular advancement.

Objective: The goal of this study was to quantify condylar position changes after mandibular advancement surgery with rigid fixation (screws). Radiographic changes in condylar position were determined in all planes (X, Y, and Z). Computed tomography with image reconstruction was used.

Advanced imaging methods.

Recent developments in imaging sciences have enabled dental researchers to visualize structural and biophysical changes effectively. New approaches for intra-oral radiography allow investigators to conduct densitometric assessments of dento-alveolar structures. Longitudinal changes in alveolar bone can be studied by computer-assisted image analysis programs.

A taxonomy for lay risk perceptions of dentistry.

Objective: This paper aims to develop and organize a set of variables that can be used to: (1) test the widely held but unproven assumption that lay risk perceptions can adversely affect dental care, (2) investigate the possible influence of lay risk perceptions on dental care and (3) permit the evaluation of risk communication strategies in dentistry.

Methods: We reviewed the literature regarding risk perception and risk communication in health care and technology. We then selected a set of variables that could be measured in a study of the general public and organized these in a taxonomy to suggest likely relationships among the variables.

Clinical usefulness of two-dimensional reformatted and three-dimensionally rendered computerized tomographic images: literature review and a survey of surgeons' opinions.

Purpose: This study compares the usefulness of axial computed tomography (CT) with two-dimensional (2D) reformats and three-dimensionally (3D) rendered CT data in the treatment planning and management of patients.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-nine patients who had been studied with CT were grouped into the following four clinical problems: 1) temporomandibular joint assessment (n = 8), 2) growth and development assessment (n = 4), 3) posttrauma and postoperative assessment (n = 13), 4) "other" (n = 4). The clinicians who treated these patients were surveyed for their opinions of the usefulness of CT with and without 2D/3D reformatting.

Clinical comparison of two panoramic modalities and posterior bite-wing radiography in the detection of proximal dental caries.

A clinical study was designed to examine whether the Philips OrthOralix SD (Gendex Dental Systems, Monza, Italy) orthogonal panoramic projection could improve diagnostic accuracy over standard projections in the detection of proximal surface caries. Thirty-five sets of radiographs that demonstrated optimal image characteristics were selected. Using a five-point scale, 18 viewers evaluated whether specified lesions were present or absent.

Immunohistochemical identification of superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferases in rat femora.

We used light microscopic immunohistochemistry to locate manganese superoxide dismutase, copper zinc superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferases in demineralized femora from rats of 4-14 weeks of age. Immunoblots confirmed the specificity of the polyclonal antibodies for the rat proteins of interest. Each of the enzymes exhibited a unique staining pattern.

Asymptomatic, radiologically detected chondrometaplasia in the temporomandibular joint.

Asymptomatic loose bodies were detected in the temporomandibular joint of a 62-year-old woman during an examination before comprehensive dental care. The radiologic interpretation was synovial chondrometaplasia (synovial osteochondromatosis). A histologic diagnosis was not obtained, because surgery was unwarranted in view of the lack of symptoms and the benign differential diagnosis.