• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.263-265
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• 2015

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is routinely recommended for dental diagnosis and treatment planning. CBCT exposes patients to less radiation than does conventional CT. Still, lack of proper education among dentists and specialists is resulting in improper referral for CBCT. In addition, aiming to generate high-quality images, operators may increase the radiation dose, which can expose the patient to unnecessary risk. This letter advocates appropriate radiation dosing during CBCT to the benefit of both patients and dentists, and supports moving from the concept of "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) to "as low as diagnostically acceptable" (ALADA).

• 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.44 no.4
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• pp.279-285
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the influence of anatomic location on the relationship between computed tomography (CT) number and X-ray attenuation in limited and medium field-of-view (FOV) scans. Materials and Methods: Tubes containing solutions with different concentrations of $K_2HPO_4$ were placed in the tooth sockets of a human head phantom. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired, and CT numbers of the $K_2HPO_4$ solutions were measured. The relationship between CT number and $K_2HPO_4$ concentration was examined by linear regression analyses. Then, the variation in CT number according to anatomic location was examined. Results: The relationship between $K_2HPO_4$ concentration and CT number was strongly linear. The slopes of the linear regressions for the limited FOVs were almost 2-fold lower than those for the medium FOVs. The absolute CT number differed between imaging protocols and anatomic locations. Conclusion: There is a strong linear relationship between X-ray attenuation and CT number. The specific imaging protocol and anatomic location of the object strongly influence this relationship.

• Journal of Korea Society of Digital Industry and Information Management
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

The advantage of direct volume rendering is to visualize structures of interest in the volumetric data. However it is still difficult to simultaneously show interior and exterior structures. Recently, cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) has been used for dental diagnosis. Despite of its usefulness, there is a limitation in the detection of interior structures such as pulp and inferior alveolar nerve canal. In this paper, we propose an efficient volume rendering model for visualizing important interior as well as exterior structures of dental CBCT. It is based on the concept of illustrative volume rendering and enhances boundary and silhouette of structures. Moreover, we present a new method that assigns a different color to structures in the rear so as to distinguish the front ones from the rear ones. This proposed rendering model has been implemented on graphics hardware, so that we can achieve interactive performance. In addition, we can render teeth, pulp and canal without cumbersome segmentation step.

• 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.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

When the mandible performs opening movement, the condyle-disk complex conducts sliding movement along the articular eminence. Thus, anatomic configuration of articular eminence is very important to normal movement of TMJ. The purpose of this study was to measure the posterior slope of the articular eminence and evaluate the effect of a pathologic bone change in the condylar head on the stiffness of articular eminence, and compare the differences of the articular eminence slope by gender and age using dental cone-beam CT. As using i-CAT Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, the CT images of 204 TMJs of 102 patients(43 men and 59 women, mean age: 37.7 years) who were diagnosed at Wonkwang University Sanbon Dental Hospital were evaluated. All images were converted into a TMJ analysis mode to observe the continuous sagittal section images and coronal section images of the joints. To observe and assess bone changes in the condyle, three dentists measured the stiffness of the articular eminence on the same images, and when two of the three dentists agreed on their reading, these results were adopted and recorded. The articular eminence slope, considering the condylar anatomic configuration, was measured in three regions, namely, lateral part, central part, and medial part of the condyle. In the cases of a normal condyle(NCBC) and a condyle(CBC) with bone change, the articular eminence slopes were $57.0^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $51.8^{\circ}$(CBC) at the medial part, $57.9^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $52.4^{\circ}$(CBC) at the central part, and $55.1^{\circ}$(NCBC) and $49.5^{\circ}$(CBC) at the lateral part of the condyle. And the articular eminence slope of the condyle with bone change demonstrated less steepness than that of normal condyle (p<0.05). The articular eminence slope showed mediolaterally that it was the steepest at the central, followed by at the medial, and at the lateral (p<0.05). There were no significant differences by the gender and the age (p.0.05).

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.153-163
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• 2014

3-dimensional information for anatomic stucture plays a role as integral part in clinical aspect of dental practice. CBCT(cone beam computed tomography) has been accepted as useful diagnostic tool offering Volume data and images for evaluating teeth and jaws in lower radiation dose than conventional CT. CBCT equipment is essential for the quality assurance of it to ensure continued satisfactory performance and result of adequate images. Dental practitioner and oral and maxillofacial radiologist should have a responsibility and critical thinking to deliver this technology to patients in a responsible way, so that diaganostic value is maximised and radiation doses kept as low as resonably achievable. CBCT imaging modality should be used only after a review of the patient's health and imaging history and the completion of a thorough clinical examination. Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances Dental practitioners should prescribe CBCT imaging only when they expect that the diagnostic yield will benefit patient care, enhance patient safety or improve clinical outcomes significantly. Knowledge of patient dose is essential for clinicians who are making the decision regarding the justification of the exposure. There are some limitation in the measurement of patient dose in CBCT for the approval and adaptation of conventinal methodolgy in CT. It is also important to ensure that doses are optimised and in line with any national and international guidelines. The higher radiation doses of CBCT compared with conventional radiography, mean that high standards must be maintained. The Quality Assurance(QA) programme should entail surveys and checks that are performed according to a regular timetable. QA programme should be maintained by staff to ensure adherence to the programme and to raise its importance among staff.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.753-761
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to examine distribution of accessory mandibular canal and its characteristics in mandibular third molars. Materials and methods: A total of 251 subjects (166 males and 85 females) having mandibular third molars bilaterally were included in the study. Cone-beam computed tomographic images were reviewed for bifid or trifid accessory mandibular canal. The prevalence of accessory mandibular canal was evaluated according to gender, side and its branching type. Proximity and crosssectional position of accessory mandibular canal to mandibular third molar was analyzed. Results: Accessory mandibular canals were found in 66 (26.3%) of 251 patients and 86 (17.1%) of 502 hemi-mandibles. Gender and sides showed no statistically significant differences in prevalence. Retromolar canal (46.1%) was the most common branching type. Proximity of accessory canal to mandibular third molars showed mean distance of 2.8 mm from third molar and a statistically significant difference was found among types of accessory canal. Dental canal was the closest to tooth among branching types and closer to tooth than main canal. On cross-sectional view, accessory canal was generally located on buccal side of mandibular third molar. Conclusion: Accessory mandibular canal was common and well detected with cone-beam computed tomography. Their localization is significant in all anesthetic and surgical procedures involving mandibular third molars.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2010

Purpose: This investigation was designed to evaluate the condyle position and the symmetry of the both condyle heads at the maximum intercuspal position on the sagittal CT image of the temporomandibular joint. Materials and Methods: Cone-beam CT was used to assess 400 joints in 100 symptom and 100 symtom-free subject(100 male, 100 female). Three independent observers(dentists) determined the positions classified with Anterior Position(AP), Middle Position(MP), and Posterior Position(PP), and the symmetry of the both condyle. Results: According to gender, the mean percentages of AP, MP, and PP were 48.5, 28.5, and 23 in male group, and 34, 38, and 28 in female group. The symmetry of condylar heads was more common than asymmetry in the both of groups. In the respect of symptom or symptom-free, the mean percentages of AP, MP, and PP were 44.5, 34, and 21.5 in the symptom-free group, and 37, 33.5, and 29.5 in the symptom group. The symmetry of condylar heads was more common in the symptom-free group, but the asymmetry of condylar heads was more common in the symptom group. Conclusions: These data might serve as useful criteria for the clinical assessment of condyle position at the maximum intercuspal position optained by Cone-beam CT.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.538-547
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• 2018

ITK-SNAP (http://www.itksnap.org) and 3D Slicer (CMFreg extension module; www.slicer.org) are open-source softwares which can be used for superimposition of cone-beam CT images. For superimposition, segmentation of bone is done with ITK-SNAP, and then voxel based superimposition of CBCT images can be performed using 3D Slicer. 3D Slicer has various visualization modules which are not provided in common commercial programs. 'Models' module is used to visualize two overlapping three-dimensional images, and this allows various visualizations by changing view mode and color of the model. In addition, differences between two CBCT images can be represented in a color map using 'ShapePopulationViewer' module. This report introduces how to superimpose and visualize CBCT images using ITK-SNAP and 3D Slicer, and the usefulness and limitations of both softwares will be discussed in comparison with commercial softwares.