Value-addition of lateral cephalometric radiographs in orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning.

Objective: To investigate the value-addition of obtaining lateral cephalometric radiographs during the treatment planning phase of orthodontic treatment.

Materials And Methods: The records of 100 orthodontic patients were presented to seven scorers during two phases that were 6 weeks apart. In the first phase, scorers completed a seven-question survey with questions regarding treatment planning.

Effective doses of dental cone beam computed tomography: effect of 360-degree versus 180-degree rotation angles.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare radiation absorbed dose (AD) and effective dose (ED) to tissues from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans with 360-degree versus 180-degree rotations with use of different fields of view (FOV), to compare EDs calculated from measured ADs versus dose area product (DAP) values, and to compare doses to the lens of the eye (LOE) from different scan parameters.

Study Design: ADs for each protocol were measured in tissues, including the LOE, by using an anthropometric phantom. EDs were calculated on the basis of dosimetry (EDm) and DAP values (EDd).

Assessment of relationship between extracranial and intracranial carotid calcifications-a retrospective cone beam computed tomography study.

Objectives: Cone beam CT scans in current day dental practice are highly collimated yet involve areas along the course of the extracranial carotid artery. Detecting an extracranial carotid calcification on small volume scans leaves the dentist with two questions: whether the patient is likely to have intracranial carotid calcifications and whether the patient warrants further medical attention. This study aimed to assess the presence of intracranial carotid artery calcifications (ICAC) in the presence of extracranial carotid artery calcifications (ECAC).

Root canal morphology of permanent teeth in a Malaysian subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography.

Background: To determine the root canal morphology of human permanent maxillary and mandibular teeth in a Malaysian subpopulation using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: A total of 208 CBCT images were examined retrospectively. Prevalence of an extra root/canal and internal morphology based on Vertucci's classification were observed in human maxillary and mandibular permanent teeth.

Incidental findings based on anatomical location and clinical significance in CBCT scans of dental implant patients.

Objective: Several incidental findings with varying degrees of clinical significance are often found on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of the maxillofacial skeleton acquired for dental procedures. The present study analyzed CBCT scans of dental implant therapy patients to identify incidental findings and assign those findings an appropriate clinical significance.

Method And Materials: A total of 500 CBCT scans of patients were evaluated for this study.

Prevalence of pineal gland calcification as an incidental finding in patients referred for implant dental therapy.

Purpose: Pineal gland calcification has been proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. This study evaluated the prevalence and extent of pineal gland calcification in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of patients referred for dental implant therapy who could possibly be a vulnerable group for this condition.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 500 CBCT scans was conducted.

Age estimation from structural changes of teeth and buccal alveolar bone level.

Forensic odontology plays a vital role in the identification and age estimation of unknown deceased individuals. The purpose of this study is to estimate the chronological age from Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images by measuring the buccal alveolar bone level (ABL) to the cemento-enamel junction and to investigate the possibility of employing the age-related structural changes of teeth as studied by Gustafson. In addition, this study will determine the forensic reliability of employing CBCT images as a technique for dental age estimation.

Anatomical considerations for implant placements in first maxillary molar extracted sites in East Asian patients.

Purpose: With the advent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for maxillofacial imaging, there has been a paradigm shift from two dimensional panoramic radiography to three dimensional imaging. This study investigated the microanatomy of the maxillary permanent first molar socket and its relationship to the floor of the maxillary sinus, especially for immediate or early implant placement.

Materials And Results: Sixty CBCT scans of 30 Malay and 30 Chinese subjects were selected from over 300 archived images.

Hypercementosis: a rare finding in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hypercementosis is excessive deposition of non-neoplastic cementum over normal root cementum, which alters root morphology. This cementum may be either hypocellular or cellular in nature. The aetiopathogenesis of hypercementosis is ambiguous.

Oral leukoplakia - is biopsy at the initial appointment a must?

Background: Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. Leukoplakias with chances of undergoing malignant transformation owing to the presence of dysplastic changes may not be clinically distinguishable from leukoplakias without dysplasia. The study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of biopsy in assessing the clinico-pathologic correlations of oral leukoplakia at the patient's initial visit.

Angina bullosa haemorrhagica.

A woman in her early 40s presented with a painless ulceration on the right side of the posterior palate, she had an earlier history of similar lesions after the rupturing of blood filled blisters in the oral cavity. On examination, a diffuse erythematous area and ulcers covered with necrotic slough were noticed on the right and left side of the posterior palate and on the right buccal mucosa. On follow-up visit, a large blood filled blister was noticed in the buccal vestibule.

Primary gingival tuberculosis diagnosis: a difficult endeavor.

Aim: To highlight the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis even in the absence of confirmation from several investigations and diagnostic aides.

Background: Tuberculosis is a common infectious granulomatous disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria. An oral lesion when seen in association with tuberculosis is very rare and in most cases is noticed secondary to pulmonary forms.

Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor: A unique report with histological diversity.

Odontogenic tumors are a group of heterogeneous lesions, features of which have been catalogued for several decades. Adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT) is a relatively rare and distinct odontogenic tumor that is exclusively odontogenic epithelium in origin. Although considerable number of reports is available with regard to the clinical and histological spectrum of AOT, very few have highlighted its varied histological presentations.

Thurston syndrome: oral and systemic manifestations. Case report and review of the literature.

Orofaciodigital (OFD) syndrome is a generic name for a variety of different but possibly related genetic disorders that result in malformations of the mouth, teeth, jaw, facial bones, hands, and feet and are therefore categorized as oroacral disorders. Nine subtypes of OFD syndromes have been identified. OFD type V is known as Thurston syndrome, of which only 11 cases have been reported to date.

Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome: two case reports and a brief review of the literature.

Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by insulin resistance syndrome, growth retardation, coarse and senile-looking faces, mental precocity, early dentition, and pineal hyperplasia. Mutations of the insulin receptor gene affecting insulin action appear to be the basic mechanism underlying this syndrome. We report on Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome in two siblings and briefly review the literature.

Determination of sex in South Indians and immigrant Tibetans from cephalometric analysis and discriminant functions.

Skeletal components play significant role in sex determination in forensic and anthropological fields. Skull is considered second best, after pelvis, in determination of sex. Methods based on morphological characteristics and morphometry are already in use with reasonable accuracy.

GST null genotype and antioxidants: risk indicators for oral pre-cancer and cancer.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to detect the gene polymorphism of detoxification enzymes and estimate the antioxidant enzyme status in patients with oral cancer, oral leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

Materials And Methods: The GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction; the antioxidant enzyme was estimated using biochemical methods. Statistical analyses were performed using student t-test and odds-ratio to estimate relative risk (RR).

Sturge-Weber syndrome: physician's dream; surgeon's enigma.

Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) is a neurocutaneous syndrome consisting of port wine stain (facial nevus flammeus), congenital glaucoma and underlying anomalous leptomeningeal venous plexus with lack of normal cortical venous drainage. Neuromuscular, ocular, dermatologic and oral manifestations are variously present with this syndrome. The syndrome presents with various oral findings and the diagnosis of these cases is based primarily on clinical findings.