• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this article is to review the current status of dental caries diagnosis using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods : An online PubMed search was performed to identify studies on caries research using CBCT. Results : Despite its usefulness, there were inherent limitations in the detection of caries lesions through conventional radiograph mainly due to the two-dimensional (2D) representation of caries lesions. Several efforts were made to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) image of lesion, only to gain little popularity. Recently, CBCT was introduced and has been used for diagnosis of caries in several reports. Some of them maintained the superiority of CBCT systems, however it is still under controversies. Conclusion : The CBCT systems are promising, however they should not be considered as a primary choice of caries diagnosis in everyday practice yet. Further studies under more standardized condition should be performed in the near future.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.169-181
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop superimposition method on the lower arch using 3-dimensional (3D) cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and orthodontic 3D digital modeling. Methods: Integrated 3D CBCT images were acquired by substituting the dental portion of 3D CBCT images with precise dental images of an orthodontic 3D digital model. Images were acquired before and after treatment. For the superimposition, 2 superimposition methods were designed. Surface superimposition was based on the basal bone structure of the mandible by surface-to-surface matching (best-fit method). Plane superimposition was based on anatomical structures (mental and lingual foramen). For the evaluation, 10 landmarks including teeth and anatomic structures were assigned, and 30 times of superimpositions and measurements were performed to determine the more reproducible and reliable method. Results: All landmarks demonstrated that the surface superimposition method produced relatively more consistent coordinate values. The mean distances of measured landmarks values from the means were statistically significantly lower with the surface superimpositions method. Conclusions: Between the 2 superimposition methods designed for the evaluation of 3D changes in the lower arch, surface superimposition was the simpler, more reproducible, reliable method.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2016

A static, unilateral, and focal bone depression located lingually within the ascending ramus, identical to the Stafne's bone cavity of the angle of the mandible, is being reported. During development of the mandible, submandibular gland inclusion may lead to the formation of a lingual concavity, which could contain fatty tissue, blood vessels, or soft tissue. However, similar occurrences in the ascending ramus at the level of the parotid gland are extremely rare. Similar cases were previously reported in dry, excavated mandibles, and 3 cases were reported in living patients. A 52-year-old African American male patient was seen for pain in the mandibular teeth. Panoramic radiography showed an unusual concavity within the left ascending ramus. Cone-beam computed tomography confirmed this incidental finding. The patient was cleared for the extraction of non-restorable teeth and scheduled for annual follow-up.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.275-279
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• 2017

Soft tissue calcification is a pathological condition in which calcium and phosphate salts are deposited in the soft tissue organic matrix. This study presents an unusual calcification noted in the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube. A 67-year-old woman presented for dental treatment, specifically for implant placement, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed. The CBCT scan was reviewed by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist and revealed incidental findings of 2 distinct calcifications in the cartilaginous portion of the Eustachian tube. To the authors' knowledge, no previous study has reported the diagnosis of Eustachian tube calcification using CBCT. This report describes an uncommon variant of Eustachian tube calcification, which has a significant didactic value because such cases are seldom illustrated either in textbooks or in the literature. This case once again underscores the importance of having CBCT scans evaluated by a board-certified oral and maxillofacial radiologist.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.165-169
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• 2014

An osteolytic lesion with a small central area of mineralization and sclerotic borders was discovered incidentally in the clivus on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of a 27-year-old male patient. This benign appearance indicated a primary differential diagnosis of non-aggressive lesions such as fibro-osseous lesions and arrested pneumatization. Further, on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesion showed a homogenously low T1 signal intensity with mild internal enhancement after post-gadolinium and a heterogeneous T2 signal intensity. These signal characteristics might be attributed to the fibrous tissues, chondroid matrix, calcific material, or cystic component of the lesion; thus, chondroblastoma and chondromyxoid fibroma were added to the differential diagnosis. Although this report was limited by the lack of final diagnosis and the patient lost to follow-up, the incidental skull base finding would be important for interpreting the entire volume of CBCT by a qualified oral and maxillofacial radiologist.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.155-159
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• 2020

Chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA) is a progressive alteration in the volume of the maxillary sinuses that may result in facial asymmetry. CMA in asymptomatic patients is known as silent sinus syndrome (SSS) and is a rare entity, especially in pediatric patients. This study reports a case of SSS in a pediatric patient who received an early diagnosis through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). An asymptomatic 12-year-old female patient in orthodontic treatment presented with opacification of the left maxillary sinus on a panoramic radiograph. Clinically, the patient had discrete hypoglobus and enophthalmos. CBCT and nasal video-endoscopy revealed ostiomeatal obstruction with bone deformity, leading to diagnosis of SSS. Endonasal endoscopic maxillary sinusotomy was performed. Two years later, the patient remained asymptomatic, and a second CBCT exam confirmed a stable condition. This case highlights the role of optimal radiographic interpretation for early diagnosis of maxillofacial alterations in pediatric patients.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.154-159
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the change in thickness of the roof of the glenoid fossa (RGF) in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods: This retrospective study measured the thickness of the RGF in 19 patients (10 males, 9 females) who underwent orthognathic surgery at Chosun University Dental Hospital. The thickness of the RGF was measured perpendicularly between the 'glenoid fossa line' and 'middle cranial fossa line' on parasagittal and paracoronal reconstructions. Results: The mean RGF thickness increased from 0.83±0.44 mm to 0.86±0.46 mm after surgery. The average change in thickness of the RGF was 0.17±0.18 mm. The thickness of the RGF in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) showed no significant difference by sex, and the change in thickness of the TMJ did not vary by surgical method. Conclusions: We found that the thickness of the RGF increased after orthognathic surgery, as revealed by CBCT. Further studies including larger numbers of subjects and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm the results of this study.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated maxillary third molars and their relation to the maxillary sinus using panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) Materials and Methods: A total of 395 maxillary third molars in 234 patients were examined using panoramic radiographs and CBCT images. We examined the eruption level of the maxillary third molars, the available retromolar space, the angulation, the relationship to the second molars, the number of roots, and the relationship between the roots and the sinus. Results: Females had a higher frequency of maxillary third molars with occlusal planes apical to the cervical line of the second molar (Level C) than males. All third molars with insufficient retromolar space were Level C. The most common angulation was vertical, followed by buccoangular. Almost all of the Level C molars were in contact with the roots of the second molar. Erupted teeth most commonly had three roots, and completely impacted teeth most commonly had one root. The superimposition of one third of the root and the sinus floor was most commonly associated with the sinus floor being located on the buccal side of the root. Conclusion: Eruption levels were differently distributed according to gender. A statistically significant association was found between the eruption level and the available retromolar space. When panoramic radiographs showed a superimposition of the roots and the sinus floor, expansion of the sinus to the buccal side of the root was generally observed in CBCT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2018

Purpose: This study classified alveolar arch forms and evaluated differences in alveolar bone thickness among arch forms in the anterior esthetic region using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Materials and Methods: Axial views of 113 CBCT images were assessed at the level of 3 mm below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of the right and left canines. The root center points of teeth in the anterior esthetic region were used as reference points. Arch forms were classified according to their transverse dimensions and the intercanine width-to-depth ratio. The buccolingual alveolar bone thickness of each tooth was measured at 3 mm below the CEJ and at the mid-root level. Differences in the mean thicknesses among arch forms were analyzed. Results: Anterior maxillary arches could be classified as long narrow, short medium, long medium, and long wide arches. Significant differences in buccolingual alveolar bone thickness among the arch groups were found at both levels. The long wide arches presented the greatest bone thickness, followed by the long medium arches, while the long narrow and short medium arches were the thinnest. Conclusion: Arch forms were classified as long narrow, short medium, long medium, and long wide. The buccolingual alveolar bone thickness exhibited significant differences among the arch forms.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the accuracy of preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), when justified for other reasons, in locating the apical foramen and establishing the working length. Materials and Methods: Six electronic databases were searched for studies on this subject. All studies, of any type, were included if they compared measurements of working length with preoperative CBCT to measurements using an electronic apex locator (EAL) or histological reference standard. Due to the high levels of heterogeneity, an inverse-variance random-effects model was chosen, and weighted mean differences were obtained with 95% confidence intervals and P values. Results: Nine studies were included. Compared to a histological reference standard, CBCT indicated that the apical foramen was on average 0.40 mm coronal of its histological position, with a mean absolute difference of 0.48 mm. Comparisons were also performed to an EAL reference standard, but the conclusions could not be considered robust due to high levels of heterogeneity in the results. Conclusion: A low level of evidence is produced suggesting that preoperative CBCT shows the apical foramen to be on average 0.40 mm coronal to its histological position, with a mean absolute difference of 0.48 mm.