A split-mouth comparative study up to 16 years of two screw-shaped titanium implant systems.

Introduction: Many studies have dealt with the clinical outcome of oral implants, yet none applied a randomized split-mouth design for a long-term follow-up of similar implant systems.

Aim: To evaluate two oral implant systems with different surface characteristics in a randomized split-mouth design and to radiologically analyse peri-implant bone level and density over an up to 16-year period.

Materials And Methods: The study comprised clinical and radiographic records of 18 partially edentulous patients treated with both implant types randomly placed in either left or right jaw sides.

Is there a relation between local bone quality as assessed on panoramic radiographs and alveolar bone level?

The aim was to explore the relation between radiographic bone quality on panoramic radiographs and relative alveolar bone level. Digital panoramic radiographs of 94 female patients were analysed (mean age, 44.5; range, 35-74).

Accuracy and precision of a densitometric tool for jaw bone.

Objectives: To develop a digital densitometric tool for jaw bone to analyse intraoral radiographs. To assess precision and accuracy for this tool and determine the minimal detection threshold for density changes.

Methods: Bone samples deriving from the premolar region of 47 human mandibles were selected for analysis.

Digital radiographic equipment in the Belgian dental office.

A survey was performed among Belgian dentists to evaluate the use and management of digital radiographic equipment. The majority of respondents work as general dental practitioners. One out of eight sets of equipment for extraoral exposures is digital.

Dosimetry of digital panoramic imaging. Part II: Occupational exposure.

Objectives: To measure occupational radiation dose during panoramic exposure from five digital panoramic X-ray units.

Methods: Exposures were made with five different digital panoramic units, of which four were equipped with a direct digital CCD (charge coupled device, "direct digital" technique), and one used storage phosphor plates ("indirect digital" technique). An anthropomorphic phantom served as the patient.

Dosimetry of digital panoramic imaging. Part I: Patient exposure.

Objectives: To measure patient radiation dose during panoramic exposure with various panoramic units for digital panoramic imaging.

Methods: An anthropomorphic phantom was filled with thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD 100) and exposed with five different digital panoramic units during ten consecutive exposures. Four machines were equipped with a direct digital CCD (charge coupled device) system, whereas one of the units used storage phosphor plates (indirect digital technique).

Attitude of the Belgian dentist population towards radiation protection.

Objectives: To perform a survey of private dental offices in Belgium and gain insight in the knowledge and attitude of Belgian dentists towards quality care in radiography and radiation protection.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed among 700 Belgian dental offices, which were included based on demographic data and the use of intraoral radiographic equipment.

Results: The response rate was 71%.

Radiation doses of indirect and direct digital cephalometric radiography.

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure organ doses and calculate the effective dose for indirect and direct digital cephalometric exposures.

Material And Methods: Indirect digital cephalometric exposures were made of a Rando phantom head using a Cranex Tome multipurpose unit with storage phosphor plates from Agfa and the direct digital (Charge Coupled Device, CCD) exposures were made with a Proline Ceph CM unit. Exposure settings were 70 kV and 4 mAs for indirect digital exposures.

Subjective image quality of digital panoramic radiographs displayed on monitor and printed on various hardcopy media.

The subjective image quality of panoramic radiographs shown on a diagnostic computer monitor were compared with professional direct thermal prints and with common inkjet prints on different paper qualities. Indirect digital panoramic radiographs were obtained from 15 patients. The images were printed with a direct thermal printer in their original format.

Radiation doses of collimated vs non-collimated cephalometric exposures.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare organ and effective radiation doses for collimated and non-collimated cephalometric radiographs made by a multipurpose extraoral radiation unit.

Methods: Cephalometric exposures were made from a Rando head phantom representing an average man with the Cranex Tome multipurpose radiation unit. A collimator was fabricated from a 3-mm thick piece of lead.

[Preoperative radiological planning for oral implants].

For patients who lost one or more teeth, oral osseointegrating implants can offer a natural and solid solution. In order to rehabilitate (partially) edentulous patients with oral implants, a surgical intervention is inevitable. It is therefore of utmost importance that both esthetical and biomechanical demands are met in as few interventions and as little time as possible, which makes a thorough preoperative examination of the edentulous region mandatory.

Appearance, location, course, and morphology of the mandibular incisive canal: an assessment on spiral CT scan.

Objectives: To assess the appearance, location, and course of the incisive canal as compared to other anatomical landmarks on spiral CT of the mandible.

Methods: Study material included 230 spiral CT scans taken for preoperative planning of implant placement in the posterior mandible. All scanning was performed using a standard exposure and patient positioning protocol.

The accuracy and reliability of radiographic methods for the assessment of marginal bone level around oral implants.

Objectives: To determine the accuracy and reliability of radiographic methods for assessment of the marginal bone level around oral implants in human cadavers.

Methods: In three human cadavers two implants were placed according to the Instruction Manual for the Brånemark System. One implant was installed in the canine and one in the premolar region of the left mandible.

A comparison of the effective dose from scanography with periapical radiography.

Objectives: To compare organ and effective doses from analogue scanographic and periapical radiography.

Methods: Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-700) were inserted in the parotid glands (bilateral), submandibular glands (bilateral) and bone marrow (left ascending ramus) of three human cadavers. Dosimeters were also attached to the skin, thyroid gland and lens of both eyes.

Organ doses and subjective image quality of indirect digital panoramic radiography.

Objectives: To determine if slight variations in exposure will affect diagnostic image quality and absorbed radiation doses for digital and analogue panoramic radiography.

Methods: Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed in the thyroid gland, eyes, submandibular glands, parotid glands and skin of two human cadaver heads. Three different exposure settings were used: 70 kV, 120 mAs; 77 kV, 75 mAs; and 81 kV, 60 mAs.

Absorbed doses from spiral CT and conventional spiral tomography: a phantom vs. cadaver study.

For several radiological examinations, a clinician can select between conventional and spiral computed tomography. Using both techniques, this study aimed at evaluating the difference in absorbed doses when examining a single lateral jaw segment in a human cadaver head and Rando phantom. The present study involved the placement of thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips (GR-200) in the thyroid gland, and bilaterally, in the parotid and submandibular glands and the lenses of the eyes in both a human cadaver and a Rando phantom at corresponding locations.

Diagnostic yield of conventional and digital cephalometric images: a human cadaver study.

Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy of digital and conventional cephalometric imaging.

Methods: Conventional and photostimulable phosphor cephalometric radiographs were obtained from three human cadavers at nine different exposure settings. Subjective image quality was assessed by six observers who evaluated six cephalometric landmarks.

The subjective image quality of direct digital and conventional panoramic radiography.

One of the main advantages of digital imaging is the possibility of altering display options for improved image interpretation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the subjective image quality of direct digital panoramic images and compare the results with those obtained from conventional images. Furthermore, the effect of various filter settings on image interpretation was assessed.