• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors influencing the upper airway dimensions in skeletal Class II children and adolescents. In total, 67 patients were selected. Airway volume and minimal cross-sectional area were three-dimensionally assessed. Craniofacial morphology and skeletal maturity were assessed on generated two-dimensional cephalograms. The measurements were analyzed using Mann-Whitney test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Upper airway dimensions were significantly smaller in pre-peak stage group, and positively associated with age. Anterior facial height and age were the most relevant factors for airway volume. Mandibular width and age were the most relevant factors for minimal cross-sectional area. Upper airway dimensions were significantly associated with age, skeletal maturity and craniofacial morphology in all three planes.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.45-53
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• 2019

Purpose: To determine whether crepitus may be a clinical indication for early temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) and to investigate the correlation between crepitus and the occurrence of TMJ OA with respect to factors, such as patient sex, age, chewing habits, and diagnosis. Methods: This is retrospective analysis of clinical data for 162 TMJs. The criteria for a joint to be included in this study was a minimum of two cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans performed with no OA observed during the initial scan. The Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders was used for OA diagnosis. Crepitus was recorded when it was objectively palpated during the follow-up period. Correlations between various patient factors and progression to TMJ OA were calculated using the Pearson's chi-square test. A linear-by-linear association was used to analyze trends of OA progression with increasing age. Results: Among the 162 joints, 101 progressed to OA and 61 did not. In the joints where crepitus had been present before OA was confirmed at next or last CBCT, OA progressed at a high rate, and especially higher in female and older patients (p<0.01). Patients in the pain-related disorder group with crepitus were observed to have higher rates of OA progression compared to patients in the intra-articular disorder group (p<0.01). Conclusions: If a patient experiences pain in the TMJs and crepitus, close monitoring through regular CBCT scans is necessary even if there is no evidence of radiologically confirmed OA after the first CBCT.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2019

Purpose: It has been proposed that using new prediction methods, such as neural networks based on dental data, could improve age estimation. This study aimed to assess the possibility of exploiting neural networks for estimating age by means of the pulp-to-tooth ratio in canines as a non-destructive, non-expensive, and accurate method. In addition, the predictive performance of neural networks was compared with that of a linear regression model. Materials and Methods: Three hundred subjects whose age ranged from 14 to 60 years and were well distributed among various age groups were included in the study. Two statistical software programs, SPSS 21 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and R, were used for statistical analyses. Results: The results indicated that the neural network model generally performed better than the regression model for estimation of age with pulp-to-tooth ratio data. The prediction errors of the developed neural network model were acceptable, with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 4.40 years and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.12 years for the unseen dataset. The prediction errors of the regression model were higher than those of the neural network, with an RMSE of 10.26 years and a MAE of 8.17 years for the test dataset. Conclusion: The neural network method showed relatively acceptable performance, with an MAE of 4.12 years. The application of neural networks creates new opportunities to obtain more accurate estimations of age in forensic research.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2019

Objectives: Various bone graft substitute materials are used to enhance bone regeneration in the maxillofacial skeleton. In the recent past, synthetic graft materials have been produced using various synthetic and natural calcium precursors. Very recently, eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (EHA) has been evaluated as a synthetic bone graft substitute. To assess bone regeneration using EHA in cystic and/or apicectomy defects of the jaws through clinical and radiographic evaluations. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the study protocol (CTRI/2014/12/005340) and were followed up at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks to assess the amount of osseous fill through digital radiographs/cone-beam computed tomography along with clinical parameters and complications. Wilcoxon matched pairs test, means, percentages and standard deviations were used for the statistical analysis. Results: The sizes of the lesions in the study ranged from 1 to 4 cm and involved one to four teeth. The study showed significant changes in the formation of bone, the merging of material and the surgical site margins from the first week to the first month in all patients (age range, 15-50 years) irrespective of the size of the lesions and the number of teeth involved. Bone formation was statistically significant from the fourth to the eighth week, and the trabecular pattern was observed by the end of 12 weeks with uneventful wound healing. Conclusion: EHA showed enhancement of bone regeneration, and healing was complete by the end of 12 weeks with a trabecular pattern in all patients irrespective of the size of the lesion involved. The study showed enhancement of bone regeneration in the early bone formative stage within 12 weeks after grafting. EHA is cost effective and production is environment friendly with no disease transfer risks. Thus, natural bioceramics will play an important role in the reduction of costs involved in grafting and reconstruction.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2019

Purpose: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth has been reported to be between 0.1% and 3.8%. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, clinical significance, and associated pathologies of fourth molars based on a retrospective study and a literature review. Materials and Methods: A 5-year retrospective prevalence study was conducted at the Department of Oral Diagnosis and Dentomaxillofacial Radiology of Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan. The study involved extracting data from the digital records of patients from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017. The sampling frame included all patients who had panoramic radiographs, cone-beam computed tomography (CT), and multislice CT images during the period under review. Results: A total of 26,721 cases were reviewed and 87 fourth molars were identified. The prevalence of fourth molars in the 5-year study at Okayama was calculated as 0.32%. The mean age of patients with a fourth molar was 30.43 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:0.98. The vast majority of cases were in the maxilla (92%) and had normal shapes(89.7%); furthermore, 82.8% of cases were unerupted. Conclusion: The prevalence of fourth molars in the study population was found to be 0.32%, and fourth molars occurred with approximately equal frequency in males and females. Fourth molars were more common in the maxilla and were predominantly unerupted and small.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.42.1-42.7
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the C-shaped root canal anatomy of mandibular second molars in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: A total of 542 teeth were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The canal shapes were classified according to a modified version of Melton's method at the level where the pulp chamber floor became discernible. Results: Of the 542 mandibular second molars, 215 (39.8%) had C-shaped canals, 330 (53%) had 3 canals, 17 (3.3%) had 2 canals, 12 (2.2%) had 4 canals, and 8 (1.7%) had 1 canal. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was 47.8% in females and 28.4% in males. Seventy-seven percent of the C-shaped canals showed a bilateral appearance. The prevalence of C-shaped canals showed no difference according to age or tooth position. Most teeth with a C-shaped canal system presented Melton's type II (45.6%) and type III (32.1%) configurations. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of C-shaped canals in the mandibular second molars of the Korean population studied. CBCT is expected to be useful for endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning of mandibular second molars.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.276-284
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• 2019

Objectives: This study sought to compare efficiency results between the use of a customized implant (CI) and a reconstruction plate (RP) in mandibular defect reconstruction in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Fifteen rabbits underwent surgery to create a defect in the right side of the mandible and were randomly divided into two groups. For reconstruction of the mandibular defect, the RP group (n=5) received five-hole mini-plates without bone grafting and the CI group (n=10) received fabricated CIs based on the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data taken preoperatively. The CI group was further divided into two subgroups depending on the time of CBCT performance preoperatively, as follows: a six-week CI (6WCI) group (n=5) and a one-week CI (1WCI) group (n=5). Daily food intake amount (DFIA) was measured to assess the recovery rate. Radiographic images were acquired to evaluate screw quantity. CBCT and histological examination were performed in the CI subgroup after sacrifice. Results: The 1WCI group showed the highest value in peak average recovery rate and the fastest average recovery rate. In terms of reaching a 50% recovery rate, the 1WCI group required the least number of days as compared with the other groups ($2.6{\pm}1.3days$), while the RP group required the least number of days to reach an 80% recovery rate ($7.8{\pm}2.2days$). The 1WCI group showed the highest percentage of intact screws (94.3%). New bone formation was observed in the CI group during histological examination. Conclusion: Rabbits with mandibular defects treated with CI showed higher and faster recovery rates and more favorable screw status as compared with those treated with a five-hole mini-plate without bone graft.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2019

Computer aided design and manufacturing and implant surgery using a guide template improve restoration-driven implant treatment procedures. This case utilized those digital technologies to make definitive prostheses for a patient. According to the work flow of digital dentistry, cone beam computed tomography established the treatment plan, which was followed to make the guide template for implant placement. The template guided the implants to be installed as planned. The customized abutments and surveyed fixed restorations were digitally designed and made. The metal framework of the removable partial denture was cast from resin pattern using an additive manufacturing technique, and the artificial resin teeth were replaced with the zirconia onlays for occlusal stability. These full mouth rehabilitation procedures provided functionally and aesthetically satisfactory results for the patient.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.170-180
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the facial skeletal patterns and the shape of the mandibular symphysis in adults with malocclusion by using a structural equation model (SEM). Methods: Ninety adults who had malocclusion and had records of facial skeletal measurements performed using cone-beam computed tomography were selected for this study. The skeletal measurements were classified into three groups (vertical, anteroposterior, and transverse). Cross-sectional images of the mandibular symphysis were analyzed using generalized Procrustes and principal component (PC) analyses. A SEM was constructed after the factors were extracted via factor analysis. Results: Two factors were extracted from the transverse, vertical, and anteroposterior skeletal measurements. Latent variables were extracted for each factor. PC1, PC2, and PC3 were selected to analyze the variations of the mandibular symphyseal shape. The SEM was constructed using the skeletal variables, PCs, and latent variables. The SEM showed that the vertical latent variable exerted the most influence on the mandibular symphyseal shape. Conclusions: The relationship between the skeletal pattern and the mandibular symphysis was analyzed using a SEM, which showed that the vertical facial skeletal pattern had the highest effect on the shape of the mandibular symphysis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2021

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the thickness and height of alveolar bone around the maxillary and mandibular incisors. Additionally, this study aimed to compare bone parameters between Caucasian (CC) and African American (AA) female patients. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective pilot study, 50 female subjects(25 CC and 25 AA) were included. The inclusion criteria were AA or CC women between the ages of 18 and 50 with a normo-divergent facial pattern and Angle's class I, end-on class II, or mild class III malocclusion. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the buccal and lingual alveolar crest; the alveolar ridge thickness at the mid-root and apex; and the buccal and lingual bone thickness at 3, 6, and 9mm from the CEJ were measured. Results: No significant difference was found (P>0.05) in the cortical bone thickness at 3mm, 6mm, or 9mm from the alveolar crest between CC and AA populations for most measurements. A significant difference in bone thickness was found (P<0.05) for the lingual surface of the central incisor, with maxillary bone thickness found to be higher than mandibular bone thickness. The measurements of lingual thickness were larger than those of buccal thickness for both races. Conclusion: There were no differences in maxillomandibular anterior alveolar bone measurements between normo-divergent adult AA and CC women, except for a few parameters at varying locations. However, future studies can be planned based the current pilot study data, which may provide valuable information.