• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.317-326
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• 2011

The mental foramen and anterior loop of the mandibular canal are important landmarks for mandibular surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the shape and position of the mental foramen and anterior loop of the mandibular canal on the computed tomography (CT) images, and apply the results clinically. CT images of 96 patients (33 male, 36 female, age range 17~43 years, mean $24.6{\pm}4.99$ years) were enrolled. The horizontal and vertical position of the mental foramen, as well as the distance from the root apices were measured. The distance of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal to the root apices, and the buccal angle were measured. The mental foramen was found mostly below the second premolar observed in 81 cases (46.0%), between the first and second premolars in 67 cases (38.0%), and between the second premolar and first molar in 19 cases (10.2%). The mean distance between the mental foramen and the lower border of the mandible was $12.20{\pm}1.77$ mm, the mean distance between the mental foramen and root apex was $5.16{\pm}0.98$ mm. The mean distance of the anterior loop of the mandibular canal was $5.80{\pm}2.00$ mm. The buccal angle measured at $47.7{\pm}9.07^{\circ}$. The distance between the root apex and mental foramen measured as $5.16{\pm}0.98$ mm on panoramic radiography, and $6.2{\pm}3.07$ mm on CT. The mean distance between the mental foramen and mandibular canal was $5.39{\pm}1.62$ mm. When performing surgical procedures such as installing dental implants, it is important to minimize surgical trauma, especially the risk of damage to the mental nerve. To optimize the surgical outcome, a careful assessment of the shape and position of the mental foramen and the anterior loop of the mandibular canal must be made. CT images are useful for finding such anatomic structures.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.16-21
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the bioactivity of precalcified nanotubular $TiO_2$ layer on Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy. Materials and methods: Anodic oxidation was carried out at a potential of 20 V and current density of 20 mA/$cm^2$ for 1 hour. The glycerol solution containing 1 wt% $NH_4F$ and 20 wt% deionized water was used as an electrolyte. Precalcification treatment was obtained by soaking in $Na_2HPO_4$ solution at $80^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes followed by soaking in saturated $Ca(OH)_2$ solution at $100^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes, followed by heat treatment at $500^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours. To evaluate the activity of precalcified nanotubular $TiO_2$ layer, specimens were immersed in a simulated body fluid with pH 7.4 at $36.5^{\circ}C$ for 10 days. Results: 1. Nanotubular $TiO_2$ layer showed the highly ordered dense structure by interposing small diameter nanotubes between large ones, the shape of nanotubes was enlarged as going down. 2. The mean length of nanotubes was $517.0{\pm}23.2\;nm$ innm glycerol solution containing 1 wt% $NH_4F$ and 20 wt% $H_2O$ at 20 V for 1 hour. 3. The bioactivity of Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy was improved with formation of nanotubular $TiO_2$ layer and precalcification treatment in $80^{\circ}C$ 0.5 M $Na_2HPO_4$ and saturated $100^{\circ}C$ $Ca(OH)_2$ solution. Conclusion: Bioactivity of precalcified nanotubular $TiO_2$ layer on Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy was improved.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of the Iterative Metal Artifact Reduction (IMAR) algorithm in correcting CT (computed tomography) images distorted due to a metal artifact and to evaluate the usefulness when proton therapy plan was plan using the images on which IMAR algorithm was applied. Materials and Methods: We used a CT simulator to capture the images when metal was not inserted in the CIRS model 062 Phantom and when metal was inserted in it and Artifact occurred. We compared the differences in the CT numbers from the images without metal, with a metal artifact, and with IMAR algorithm by setting ROI 1 and ROI 2 at the same position in the phantom. In addition, CT numbers of the tissue equivalents located near the metal were compared. For the evaluation of Rando Phantom, CT was taken by inserting a titanium rod into the spinal region of the Rando phantom modelling a patient who underwent spinal implant surgery. In addition, the same proton therapy plan was established for each image, and the differences in Range at three sites were compared. Results: In the evaluation of CIRS Phantom, the CT numbers were -6.5 HU at ROI 1 and -10.5 HU at ROI 2 in the absence of metal. In the presence of metal, Fe, Ti, and W were -148.1, -45.1 and -151.7 HU at ROI 1, respectively, and when the IMAR algorithm was applied, it increased to -0.9, -2.0, -1.9 HU. In the presence of metal, they were 171.8, 63.9 and 177.0 HU at ROI 2 and after the application of IMAR algorithm they decreased to 10.0 6,7 and 8.1 HU. The CT numbers of the tissue equivalents were corrected close to the original CT numbers except those in the lung located farthest. In the evaluation of the Rando Phantom, the mean CT numbers were 9.9, -202.8, and 35.1 HU at ROI 1, and 9.0, 107.1, and 29 HU at ROI 2 in the absence, presence of metal, and in the application of IMAR algorithm. The difference between the absence of metal and the range of proton beam in the therapy was reduced on the average by 0.26 cm at point 1, 0.20 cm at point 2, and 0.12 cm at point 3 when the IMAR algorithm was applied. Conclusion: By applying the IMAR algorithm, the CT numbers were corrected close to the original ones obtained in the absence of metal. In the beam profile of the proton therapy, the difference in Range after applying the IMAR algorithm was reduced by 0.01 to 3.6 mm. There were slight differences as compared to the images absence of metal but it was thought that the application of the IMAR algorithm could result in less error compared with the conventional therapy.