• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.27-47
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of spiral tomography through the comparison and analysis of SCANORA cross-sectional tomographs and DentaScan computed tomographic images of dry mandibles taken by a SCANORA spiral tomographic machine and a computed tomographic machine. Thirty-one dry mandibles with full or partial edentulous areas were used. To evaluate the possible effect of location in the edentulous area, it was divided into 4 regions of Me (region of mental foramen), MI (the midportion between Me and M2), M2 (the midportion between mental foramen and mandibular foramen) and S (the midportion of the mandibular symphysis). A ZPC column (sized 4 mm x 5 mm) was seated on the edentulous regions of Me, MI, M2 and S using the acrylic stent. Then SCANORA spiral tomography and computed tomography were taken on the edentulous regions which contained the ZPC column. The ZPC columns and cross-sectional images of the mandible were measured in the radiographs by three observers and the differences between the two imaging modalities were analysed. The results were as follows: 1. In comparing the actual measurements of the ZPC column and measurements in the radiographs, the mean error of the DentaScan computed tomography was 0.07 mm in vertical direction and -0.06 mm in horiwntal direction, while the mean error of the SCANORA spiral tomography was 0.06 mm in vertical direction and -0.12 mm in horizontal direction. There was a significant difference between the two radiographic techniques in the horizontal measurement of the ZPC column of the symphysis region (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the measurements of other regions (p>0.05). 2. In measurements of the distance from the alveolar crest to the inferior border of the mandible (H), and of the distance from the alveolar crest to the superior border of the mandibular canal (Y), there was no significant difference between the two radiographic techniques (p>0.05). 3. In measurements of the distance from the lingual border of the mandible to the buccal border of the mandible (W), and of the distance from the lingual border of the mandible to the lingual border of the mandibular canal (X), there was a significant difference between the two radiographic techniques in measurements of the midportion between the mental foramen and the mandibular foramen (M2) (p<0.05). But there were no significant differences in measurements of the other regions of symphysis (S), mental foramen (Me), the first one-fourth portion between the mental foramen and the mandibular foramen (M1) (p>0.05). 4. Considering the mean range of measurements between observers, the measurements of SCANORA spiral tomography showed higher value than those of DentaScan computed tomography, except in measurements of symphysis (S). 5. On the detectability of the mandibular canal, there was no significant difference between the two radiographic techniques (p>0.05). In conclusion, SCANORA spiral tomography demonstrated a higher interobserver variance than that of DentaScan computed tomography for implant site measurements in the posterior edentulous area of the mandible. These differences were mainly the result of difficulty in the detection of the border of the mandible in SCANORA spiral tomography. But considering the cost and the radiation exposure, SCANORA spiral tomography can be said to be a relatively good radiographic technique for implant site measurement.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.117-126
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• 1983

The mandibular canal must be considered carefully during surgical treatment, especially surgical extraction of the impacted tooth and intraosseous implant because it contains the important inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. The author investigated the curvatUre of the mandibular canal, the positional frequency of mandibular foramen to the occlusal plane and gonial angle and the positional frequency of the mental foramen to the tooth site using orthopantomograms. The materials consisted of 295 orthopantomograms divided into seven groups ranging from the first decade to 6th. decade. The results were as follows: 1. The position of mandibular foramen was most frequently below occlusal plane in Group Ⅰ (78.6%) and Group Ⅱ (71.2%), above occlusal plane in Group Ⅲ (63.0%), Group IV (71.1%), Group V (57.6%), Group (76.7%) and Group VII (70.0%). 2. The curvature of mandibular canal was 142.8° in Group Ⅰ, 142.09° in Group Ⅱ, 139.34° in Group Ⅲ, 141.48° in Group Ⅳ, 138.45° in Group Ⅴ, 140.77° in Group Ⅵ and 143.89° in Group Ⅶ. 3. The gonial angie was 125.82° in Group Ⅰ, 123.18° in Group Ⅱ, 124.06° in Group Ⅲ, 120.45° in Group Ⅳ, 121.12° in Group Ⅴ, 121.63° in Group Ⅵ and 121.24° in Group Ⅶ. 4. The position of the menta] foramen was most frequently below the apex of mandibular first premolar in Group Ⅰ (57.2%), between the apex of mandibular first and second premolar in Group Ⅱ (59.6%) and Group Ⅲ (48.9%), and below the apex of mandibular second premolar in Group Ⅳ (39.2%), Group Ⅴ (48.5%) Group Ⅵ(46.6%) and Group Ⅶ(56.4%)

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.326-337
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop new parameters based on the foramina of the trigeminal nerve and to compare them with the conventional cephalometric parameters in different facial skeletal types. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and cephalograms from 147 adult patients (57 males and 90 females; mean age, 26.1 years) were categorized as Class I ($1^{\circ}$ < ANB < $3^{\circ}$), Class II (ANB > $5^{\circ}$), and Class III (ANB < $-1^{\circ}$). Seven foramina in the craniofacial area-foramen rotundum (Rot), foramen ovale (Ov), infraorbital foramen, greater palatine foramen, incisive foramen (IF), mandibular foramen (MDF), and mental foramen (MTF)-were identified in the CBCT images. Various linear, angular, and ratio parameters were compared between the groups by using the foramina, and the relationship between the new parameters and the conventional cephalometric parameters was assessed. Results: The distances between the foramina in the cranial base did not differ among the three groups. However, the Rot-IF length was shorter in female Class III patients, while the Ov-MTF length, MDF-MTF length, and Ov-MDF length were shorter in Class II patients than in Class III patients of both sexes. The MDF-MTF/FH plane angle was larger in Class II patients than in Class III patients of both sexes. Most parameters showed moderate to high correlations, but the Ov-MDF-MTF angle showed a relatively low correlation with the gonial angle. Conclusions: The foramina of the trigeminal nerve can be used to supplement assessments based on the conventional skeletal landmarks on CBCT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether the panoramic mandibular index (PMI) is useful for assessing bone mineral density. We also analyzed the potential correlations between PMI parameters and patient age. Materials and Methods: Four observers measured the PMI of both sides of the mental foramen using a picture archiving and communication system and images in the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine format. They studied 300 panoramic radiographic images of patients belonging to the following age groups: 40-49 years, 50-59 years, 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years. The observers were allowed to zoom in or out and to adjust the contrast of the images. Further, they were instructed to record the reasons for any measurements that could not be made. Then, we conducted a reliability analysis of the measured PMI and assessed the correlations between different patient age groups and the 3 parameters used for determining the PMI from the available data. Results: Among the 600 data items collected, 23 items were considered unmeasurable by at least 1 observer for the following 4 reasons: postoperative state, lesion, unidentified mental foramen, and alveolar bone loss. The intraobserver reproducibility of the measurable data was 0.611-0.752. The mandibular cortical width (MCW) decreased significantly as patient age increased. Conclusion: PMI had limited usability when the margin of the mental foramen was not clear. In contrast, MCW, a parameter used for determining the PMI, had fewer drawbacks than the PMI with respect to bone mineral density measurements and exhibited a significant correlation with patient age.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible differences in the location of the inferior alveolar canal in male and female Egyptians. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study involved the evaluation of 210 CBCT scans of Egyptian individuals (18-70 years old). The inferior alveolar canal was localized by measuring 8 linear dimensions: 2 for the vertical localization of the mental foramen (superior and inferior to the mental foramen), 4 at the first molar bifurcation for the vertical and horizontal localization of the inferior alveolar canal (superior, inferior, buccal, and lingual to the inferior alveolar canal), and 2 for the horizontal localization of the mandibular foramen (anterior and posterior to the mandibular foramen). The measurements were statistically analyzed via comparative analysis, stepwise logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Six of the 8 measured distances differed to a statistically significant extent between the sexes. Regression analysis suggested a logistic function with a concordance index of 84%. The diagnostic accuracy capabilities of the linear measurements as sex predictors were calculated using ROC analysis, and the 6 best predictors for sex determination were selected and ranked from highest to lowest predictive power. Moreover, combining these 6 predictors increased the predictive power to 84%. Conclusion: The location of the inferior alveolar canal in the Egyptian population varies significantly by sex; accordingly, this anatomic landmark could be used as a reliable indicator of sexual dimorphism.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 1986

The purpose of the study is to note the effects of the resection of the lateral pterygoid muscle on the mandibular growth in the growing rats. Twenty four female Wistar rats were used in the experiment. They were divided into three groups: group 1 ; bilateral sham operation group 2 ; bilateral resenction of the lateral pterygoid muscle group 3 ; unilateral resection of the lateral pterygoid muscle (The right lateral pterygoid muscle was resected and the left one was sham-operated.) Groups 1&2 were sacrificed eight weeks lateral and group 3, four weeks later. All specimens were measured with calipers, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Groups 1 & 2 were compared with each other. In group 3, the right side was compared with the left. The results were as follows: 1. In the growing rats, the resection of the lateral pterygoid muscle was followed by a decrease of the mandibular growth. After eight weeks, the condyle-mental foramen distance, the angular process-mental foramen distance, the size of the condylar head, the supradentale-first molar distance, and the diameter of the symphysis were significantly smaller than the control. 2. Resection of the lateral pterygoid muscle resulted in decrease of the thickness of the cartilage layer and the prechondroblastic-chondroblastic layer after four weeks. 3. After eight weeks, group 1 and group 2 were not different significantly in the histologic sections. 4. The condylar cartilage was stabilized eight weeks after the experiment.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1980

The mandibular canal must be considered carefully during the surgical treatment, especially surgical extraction of the impacted tooth and intraosseous implant, because it contains the important inferior alveolar nerve and vessels. The author investigated the curvature of the mandibular canal and its relation to the mandibular molars and positional realtion between the mental foramen and the mandibular premelors in orthopantomogram. The materials consisted of 441 orthopantomograms divided four groups; Group Ⅰ consisted of 56 males and 44 females from 1 to 6 years of age, Group Ⅱ consisted of 58 males and 45 females from 7 to 12 years of age, Group Ⅲ consisted of 65 males and 33 females from 13 to 18 years of age, Group Ⅳ consisted of 86 males and 54 females over 19 years of age. The results were as followings; 1. The curvature of mandibular canal was 144.50° in Group Ⅰ, 144. 29° in Group Ⅱ, 148.11° in Group Ⅲ, 147.33° in Group Ⅳ. 2. The curvature of mandibular canal was located most frequently on the area between mandibular 1st molar and mandibular 2nd molar in Group Ⅰ (42%) and on the mandibular 2nd molar area in Group Ⅱ (54%), Group Ⅲ (59%), Group Ⅳ (53%). 3. The position of mental foramen was most frequently below the mandibular 1st premolar in Group Ⅰ (58%), between the mandibular 1st premolar and the 2nd premolar in Group Ⅱ (62%), Group Ⅲ (47%), and below the mandibular 2nd premolar in Group Ⅳ (58%).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.259-269
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• 1992

The author has examined the abnormalities in panoramic radiographs of 668 edentulous patients. The distribution, type, incidence, and location of all abnormalities were analized, and the distances between alveolar crest and anatomical structures were measures. (Maxillary measurements were performed between alveolar crest and lower margin of the maxillary sinus and mandibular measurements between alveolar crest and upper edge of the mental foramen.) The obtained results were as follows: 1. Of the 668 panoramic radiographs examined, 103(15.4%) showed one or more abnormalities. 2. The incidence of abnormalities was decreased by years, which was 22.0% in 1970's and 16.8% in 1980's and 12.1 % in 1990's. 3. The distribution of abnormalities as follows; 43 (40.2%) superficial root fragments, 24(22.4%) impacted teeth, 9(8.4%) imbedded root fragments, 7 (6.5%) cysts, 7(6.5%) fractures, 5(4.7%) foreign bodies, 5(4.7%) abnormal radiolucencies, 4(3.7%) abnormal radiopacities, 2(1.9%) bony defects, 1(0.9%) tumor. 4. In the location of abnormalities, 42 cases (35.3%) were in the maxillary posterior region, 26 cases(21.8%) were in the maxillary anterior region, 20 cases(24.4%) were in the mandibular posterior region and 18 cases(15.1%) were in the mandibular anterior region. 5. In the distance between alveolar crest and maxillary sinus, 109 cases(9.7%) were below 0.5㎜, 757 cases(67.6%) were between 0.5㎜ and 10㎜, 254 cases(22.7%) were above 10㎜. In the distance between alveolar crest and mental foramen, 73 cases (8.8%) were below 0.5㎜, 501 cases (60.7%) were between 0.5㎜ and l0㎜ and 252 cases(30.5%) were above 100㎜.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate mandibular canal displacement in patients with ameloblastoma using a 3-dimensional mirrored-model analysis. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of computed tomographic scans of patients with ameloblastoma (n=10) and healthy controls (n=20). The amount of mandibular canal asymmetry was recorded as a continuous variable, while the buccolingual (yaw) and supero-inferior (pitch) directions of displacement were classified as categorical variables. The t-test for independent samples and the Fisher exact test were used to compare groups in terms of differences between sides and the presence of asymmetric inclinations, respectively (P<0.05). Results: The length of the mandibular canal was similar on both sides in both groups. The ameloblastoma group presented more lateral (2.40±4.16 mm) and inferior (-1.97±1.92 mm) positions of the mental foramen, and a more buccal (1.09±2.75 mm) position of the middle canal point on the lesion side. Displacement of the mandibular canal tended to be found in the anterior region in patients with ameloblastoma, occurring toward the buccal and inferior directions in 60% and 70% of ameloblastoma patients, respectively. Conclusion: Mandibular canal displacement due to ameloblastoma could be detected by this superimposed mirrored method, and displacement was more prevalent toward the inferior and buccal directions. This displacement affected the mental foramen position, but did not lead to a change in the length of the mandibular canal. The control group presented no mandibular canal displacement.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2016

Background: Position of the facial foramina is important for regional block and for various maxillofacial surgical procedures. In this study, we report on anthropometry and morphology of these foramina using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) data. Methods: A retrospective review was performed for all patients who have undergone 3D-CT scan of the facial skeleton for reasons other than fracture or deformity of the facial skeleton. Anthropometry of the supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina (SOF, IOF, MF) were described in relation to facial midline, inferior orbital margin, and inferior mandibular margin (FM, IOM, IMM). This data was analyzed according to sex and age. Additionally, infraorbital and mental foramen were classified into 5 positions based on the anatomic relationships to the nearest perpendicular dentition. Results: The review identified 137 patients meeting study criteria. Supraorbital foramina was more often in the shape of a foramen (62%) than that of a notch (38%). The supraorbital, infraorbital, and mental foramina were located 33.7 mm, 37.1 mm, and 33.7 mm away from the midline. The mean vertical distance between IOF and IOM was 13.4 mm. The mean distance between MF and IMM was 21.0 mm. The IOF and MF most commonly coincided with upper and lower second premolar dentition, respectively. Between the sex, the distance between MF and IMM was significantly higher for males than for female. In a correlation analysis, SOF-FM, IOF-FM and MF-FM values were significantly increased with age, but IOF-IOM values were significantly decreased with age. Conclusion: In the current study, we have reported anthropometric data concerning facial foramina in the Korean population, using a large-scale data analysis of three-dimensional computed tomography of facial skeletons. The correlations made respect to patient sex and age will provide help to operating surgeons when considering nerve blocks and periosteal dissections around the facial foramina.