• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2023

Purpose: Maxillofacial trauma predominantly affects young adults between 20 and 40 years of age. Although radioprotection is a legal requirement, the significant potential of dose reduction in computed tomography (CT) is still underused in the clinical routine. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether maxillofacial fractures can be reliably detected and classified using ultra-low-dose CT. Materials and Methods: CT images of 123 clinical cases with maxillofacial fractures were classified by two readers using the AOCOIAC software and compared with the corresponding results from post-treatment images. In group 1, consisting of 97 patients with isolated facial trauma, pre-treatment CT images at different dose levels (volumetric computed tomography dose index: ultra-low dose, 2.6 mGy; low dose, <10 mGy; and regular dose, <20 mGy) were compared with post-treatment cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). In group 2, consisting of 31 patients with complex midface fractures, pre-treatment shock room CT images were compared with post-treatment CT at different dose levels or CBCT. All images were presented in random order and classified by 2 readers blinded to the clinical results. All cases with an unequal classification were re-evaluated. Results: In both groups, ultra-low-dose CT had no clinically relevant effect on fracture classification. Fourteen cases in group 2 showed minor differences in the classification code, which were no longer obvious after comparing the images directly to each other. Conclusion: Ultra-low-dose CT images allowed the correct diagnosis and classification of maxillofacial fractures. These results might lead to a substantial reconsideration of current reference dose levels.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.203-210
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• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of the C-shaped canal of permanent mandibular second molar (PMSM) in Korean sub-population using Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) data and analyze the types of C-shaped canal. Materials & Methods: The protocol for this study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the Pusan National University Hospital (E-2011039). Among the CBCT images taken of patients who visited the St. Bennedict Dental Hospital (Busan, Korea) from May 2008 to April 2011 for implant surgery and surgical removal of impacted teeth, high-quality CBCTs from 705 patients (361 male and 342 female) were screened and 607 PMSMs of 383 patients were evaluated retrospectively. All PMSMs were anatomically analyzed in detail by using image viewer software (EasyDent; Vatech). PMSMs were evaluated in the axial plane to investigate the shape of root and canals. The C-shaped canals were classified into five types. The total incidence, gender ratio, bilateral and unilateral appearance. and the correlation between right-side and left-side occurrences of C-shaped PMSMs were computed and compared statistically using the chi-square test. Results: Among the 607 PMSMs of 383 CBCTs of 187 females and 196 males, 198 PMSMs(32.6%) had C-shaped root and 158 PMSMs(26.0%) had C-shaped canals. The shape of C-shaped root canals at the furcalion level did not have significant change at the level of mid root (P<0.0001). Female had more prevalence of C-shaped root canals than male (P<0.0001). The prevalence of bilateral occurrence of C-shaped root canals was higher than unilateral occurrence. Conclusions: The occurrence of C-shaped PMSMs among a Korean population was 32.6% and was higher than other countries and ethnicities. Understanding the prevalence of PMSMs with a C-shaped root and/or canal in a Korean population may be useful for successful endodontic treatments.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2007

Purpose: To estimate the shape of root and pulp canal using a dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the accuracy of imaging reformation. Materials and Methods: CBCT images were obtained with incisors, premolars, and molars as the destination by using PSR $9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) and i-CAT (Imaging Sciences International, Inc, USA) cone beam CT unit that have different kind of detector and field of view, and compared these with the shape and the size of actual root and root canal. Results: When the measuring value of cone beam computed tomography concerning to each root's bucco-lingual diameter and mesio-distal diameter was compared with the value of the actual root, it reveals an error range $-0.49{\sim}+0.63$ mm at PSR900N and $-0.97{\sim}+1.14$ mm at i-CAT (P>0.05). It was possible to identify and measure PSR$9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system to the limit $0.48{\pm}0.06mm$ (P>0.05) and i-CAT CBCT to the limit $0.86{\pm}0.09mm$ (P<0.05) on estimating the size and the shape of root canal. Two kinds of CBCT images revealed the useful reproducibility to estimate the shape of root, but there was the difference to estimate the shape of root according to apparatus. The reproducibility of root shape in the image of three-dimensions at PSR 900N is low such as 0.65 mm in a case of minute root canal. Conclusions: CBCT images revealed higher accuracy of the imaging reformation for root and pulp and clinically CBCT is a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of root and canal. However, there are different qualities of imaging reformation according to CBCT apparatus and limitation of reproducibility for minute root canals.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.214-219
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between inter-condylar width and inter-maxillary first molar width to present the criteria for prosthetic reconstruction of dental arch width in maxillary and mandibular fully edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: 120 Koreans (60 males and 60 females) who underwent the cone beam computerized tomography (Cone-beam CT) were selected. The Cone-beam CT images were analysed using Invivo 5.1. After reorientation of axis, inter-maxillary first molar width was measured by clicking both mesio-buccal cusp tip of maxillary first molar. And inter-condylar width was measured by clicking both middle points of condyles. The collected data were analysed with SPSS Version 20.0 and statistical significance of the correlation between inter-condylar width and inter-maxillary first molar width was verified by Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The mean inter-condylar width of Korean was 105.9 mm, and that of male (108.3 mm) was statistically significantly wider than the female (103.4 mm). The inter-maxillary first molar width of Korean was 57.1 mm, and that of male (57.9 mm) was statistically significantly wider than the female (56.2 mm). Pearson's correlation analysis between inter-condylar width and inter-maxillary first molar width showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.614 and statistically significantly positive correlation. Conclusion: Intercondylar width and inter-maxillary first molar width showed positive correlation and the average ratio of inter-condylar with and inter-maxillary first molar width was 1:0.54. Based on the results of this limited study, inter-condylar width can be used as a guide for setting up dental arch width in fully edentulous patient.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images obtained using different voxel sizes in measuring trabecular bone microstructure in comparison to micro-CT. Materials and Methods: Twelve human skull bones containing posterior-mandibular alveolar bone regions were analyzed. CBCT images were obtained at voxel sizes of 0.075mm(high: HI) and 0.2mm(standard: Std), while microCT imaging used voxel sizes of 0.06 mm (HI) and 0.12 mm (Std). Analyses were performed using CTAn software with the standardized automatic global threshold method. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the consistency and agreement of paired measurements for bone volume (BV), percent bone volume (BV/TV), bone surface (BS), trabecular thickness (TbTh), trabecular separation (TbSp), trabecular number (TbN), trabecular pattern factor(TbPf), and structure model index (SMI). Results: When compared to micro-CT, CBCT images had higher BV, BV/TV, and TbTh values, while micro-CT images had lower BS, TbSp, TbN, TbPf, and SMI values (P<0.05). The BV, BV/BT, TbTh, and TbSp variables were higher with Std voxels, whereas the BS, TbPf, and SMI variables were higher with HI voxels for both imaging methods. For each imaging modality and voxel size evaluated, BV, BS, and TbTh were significantly different(P<0.05). TbN, TbPf, and SMI showed statistically significant differences between imaging methods(P<0.05). The consistency and absolute agreement between micro-CT and CBCT were excellent for all variables. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the potential of high-resolution CBCT imaging for quantitative bone morphometry assessment.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2021

The evolution of X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been based on the discovery of X-rays, the inception of the Radon transform, and the development of X-ray digital data acquisition systems and computer technology. Unlike conventional X-ray imaging (general radiography), CT reconstructs cross-sectional anatomical images of the internal structures according to X-ray attenuation coefficients (approximate tissue density) for almost every region in the body. This article reviews the essential physical principles and technical aspects of the CT scanner, including several notable evolutions in CT technology that resulted in the emergence of helical, multidetector, cone beam, portable, dual-energy, and phase-contrast CT, in integrated imaging modalities, such as positron-emission-tomography-CT and single-photon-emission-computed-tomography-CT, and in clinical applications, including image acquisition parameters, CT angiography, image adjustment, versatile image visualizations, volumetric/surface rendering on a computer workstation, radiation treatment planning, and target localization in radiotherapy. The understanding of CT characteristics will provide more effective and accurate patient care in the fields of diagnostics and radiotherapy, and can lead to the improvement of image quality and the optimization of exposure doses.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.145-155
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• 2010

Objective: Lateral cephalometric radiographs have been the main form of resource for assessing two dimensional anteroposterior airway changes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the three dimensional volumetric change in the upper airway space in Class III malocclusion patients who underwent mandibular setback surgery. Methods: Three dimensional cone-beam computed tomographs (CBCT) and their three dimensional reconstruction images were analyzed. The samples consisted of 20 adult patients (12 males and 8 females) who were diagnosed as skeletal Class III and underwent mandibular setback surgery. CBCTs were taken at 3 stages - Baseline (1.8 weeks before surgery), T1 (2.3 months after surgery), and T2 (1 year after surgery). Pharyngeal airway was separated according to the reference planes and reconstructed into the nasopharynx, the oropharynx and the hypopharynx. Measurements at Baseline, T1, and T2 were compared between groups. Results: The result showed the volume of the pharyngeal airway decreased significantly 2.3 months after surgery (p < 0.001) and the diminished airway did not recover after 1 year post-surgery. The oropharynx was the most decreased area. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mandibular setback surgery causes both short-term and long-term decrease in the upper airway space.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 2009

Objective: CBCT has become popular for orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning in recent times. The 3D pharyngeal airway space needs to be analysed using a 3D diagnostic tool. The aim of this study was to analyse the pharyngeal airway of different craniofacial morphology using CBCT. Methods: The sample compromised 102 subjects divided into 3 groups (Class I, II, III) and 6 subgroups according to normal or vertical craniofacial patterns. All samples had CBCT (VCT, Vatech, Seoul, Korea) taken for orthodontic treatment. The pharyngeal airway was assessed according to the reference planes: aa plane (the most anterior point on the anterior arch of atlas), $CV_2$ plane, and $CV_3$ plane (most infero-anterior point on the body of the second & third cervical vertebra). The intergroup comparison was performed with one-way ANOVA and duncan test as a second step. Results: The results showed the pharyngeal airway and anteroposterior width of group 2 (Class II) in aa plane, $CV_2$ plane, $CV_3$ plane were significant narrower than in group 3 (Class III). There was no significant difference between vertical and normal craniofacial patterns except for the anteroposterior pharyngeal width of Group 1 (Class I) in aa plane. Conclusions: Subjects with Class II patterns have a significantly narrower pharyngeal airway than those with Class III. However there was no difference in pharyngeal airway between vertical and normal craniofacial morphology.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2004

Purpose: To investigate the anatomical structure of the incisive canal radiographically by a cone beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: 38 persons (male 26, female 12) were chosen to take images of maxillary anterior region in dental CT mode using a cone beam computed tomography. The tube voltage were 65, 67, and 70kVp, the tube current was 7 mA, and the exposure time was 13.3 seconds. The FH plane of each person was parallel to the floor. The images were analysed on the CRT display. Results: The mean length of incisive canal was 15.87 mm±2.92. The mean diameter at the side of palate and nasal fossa were 3.49 mm±0.76 and 3.89 mm± 1.06, respectively. In the cross-sectional shape of incisive canal, 50% were round, 34.2% were ovoid, and 15.8% were lobulated. 87% of incisive canal at the side of nasal fossa have one canal, 10.4% have two canals, and 2.6% have three canals, but these canals were merged into one canal in the middle portion of palate. The mean angles of the long axis of incisive canal and central incisor to the FH plane were 110.3°±6.96 and 117.45°±7.41, respectively. The angles of the long axis of incisive canal and central incisor to the FH plane were least correlated (r= 0.258). Conclusion : This experiment suggests that a cone beam computed radiography will be helpful in surgery or implantation on the maxillary incisive area.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was performed to determine the accuracy of linear measurements on three-dimensional (3D) images using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods : MDCT and CBCT were performed using 24 dry skulls. Twenty-one measurements were taken on the dry skulls using digital caliper. Both types of CT data were imported into OnDemand software and identification of landmarks on the 3D surface rendering images and calculation of linear measurements were performed. Reproducibility of the measurements was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA and ICC, and the measurements were statistically compared using a Student t-test. Results : All assessments under the direct measurement and image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT showed no statistically difference under the ICC examination. The measurements showed no differences between the direct measurements of dry skull and the image-based measurements on the 3D CT surface rendering images (P>.05). Conclusion : Three-dimensional reconstructed surface rendering images using MDCT and CBCT would be appropriate for 3D measurements.