• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.6.1-6.9
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the internal morphology of mesiobuccal (MB) roots of maxillary molars with a second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal. Materials and Methods: Forty-seven maxillary first or second molars from Brazilians were scanned using micro-computed tomography. The following measurements were obtained from the MB roots: root thickness, root width, and dentin thickness of the buccal aspect of the first mesiobuccal (MB1) canal, between the MB1 and MB2 canals, and the palatal aspect of the MB2 and MB1 canals at 3 mm from the root apex and in the furcation region. For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test and analysis of variance with the post-hoc Tukey test were used (α = 0.05). Results: In maxillary molars with an MB2 canal, MB roots were significantly thicker (p = 0.0014) and narrower (p = 0.0016) than in maxillary molars without an MB2 canal. The dentin thickness of the palatal aspect of the MB1 canal was also significantly greater than that of MB roots without an MB2 canal at 3 mm from the root apex (p = 0.0007) and in the furcation region (p < 0.0001). In the furcation region of maxillary molars with an MB2 canal, the dentin thickness between the MB1 and MB2 canals was significantly smaller than that in the buccal and palatal aspects (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: The internal morphology of MB roots of maxillary molars with an MB2 canal revealed differences in dentin thickness, root diameter, and distance between the canals when compared with maxillary molars without an MB2 canal.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare the centering abilities of four root canal instrument systems and the amounts of dentin removed after root canal shaping using them. The mesial canals of twenty extracted mandibular first molars having $10-20^{\circ}$ curvature were scanned using X-ray micro-computed tomography (XMCT)-scanner before root canals were instrumented. They were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group). In Group 1, root canals were instrumented by the step-back technique with stainless steel K-Flexofile after coronal flaring. The remainders were instrumented by the crown-down technique with Profile (Group 2), ProTaper (Group 3) or K3 system (Group 4). All canals were prepared up to size 25 at the end-point of preparation and scanned again. Scanned images were processed to reconstruct three-dimensional images using three-dimensional image software and the changes of total canal volume were measured. Pre-and post-operative cross-sectional images of 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apical foramen were com pared. For each level, centering ratio were calculated using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and image software program. ProTaper and K3 systems have a tendency to remove more dentin than the other file systems. In all groups, the lowest value of centering ratio at 3 mm level was observed. And except at 3 mm level, ProTaper system made canals less centered than the other systems (p < 0.05).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.298-304
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• 2014

Purpose: This preliminary rabbit study was conducted to evaluate the effect of recombinant human transforming growth factor-${\beta}2$ (rhTGF-${\beta}2$)/poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) coating on osseointegration of the titanium (Ti) implant. Materials and methods: Eight Ti implants were anodized with 300 voltages for three minutes. Four of those were coated with rhTGF-${\beta}2$/PLGA by an electrospray method as the experimental group. The implants were placed into tibiae of four New Zealand rabbits, two implants per a tibia, one implant per each group. After 3 and 6 weeks, every two rabbits were sacrificed and micro-computed tomography (microCT) was taken for histomorphometric analysis. Results: In scanning electron microscope (SEM) image, the surface of rhTGF-${\beta}2$/PLGA coated Ti implant showed well distributed particles. Although statistically insignificant, microCT analysis showed that experimental group has higher bone volume / total volume (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) values relatively. Cross sectional view also showed more newly formed bone in the experimental group. Conclusion: In the limitation of this study, rhTGF-${\beta}2$/PLGA particles coating on the Ti implant show the possibility of more favorable quantity of newly formed bone after implant installation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.60-64
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• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs that modulate target gene activity, and are aberrantly expressed in most types of cancer as well in lung cancer. A miRNA can potentially target a diverse set of mRNAs; further, it plays a critical role in lung tumorigenesis as well as affects patient outcome. Previous studies focused mainly on abnormal miRNAs expressions in lung cancer tissues. Interestingly, circulating miRNAs were identified in human plasma and serum in 2008. Since then, considerable effort has been directed to the study of circulating miRNAs as one of the biomarkers of lung cancer. miRNAs expression of tissues and blood in lung cancer patients is being analyzed by more researchers. Recently, to overcome the high false-positivity of low-dose chest computed tomography scan, miRNAs in lung cancer screening are being investigated. This article summarizes the recent researches regarding clinical applications of miRNAs in the diagnosis and management of lung cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Objectives: We compared changes in fractal dimension (FD) and grayscale value (GSV) of peri-implant alveolar bone on digital panoramic radiography (DPR) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) immediately after implant surgery and 12 months postoperative. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 16 patients who received posterior mandibular area dental implants with CBCT scans taken about 2 weeks after implantation and one year after implantation were analyzed. A region of interest was selected for each patient. FDs and GSVs were evaluated immediately after implant surgery and at 12-month follow-up to examine the functional loading of the implants. Results: There were no significant differences between DPR and CBCT measurements of FD values (P>0.05). No significant differences were observed between FD values and GSVs calculated after implant surgery and at the 12-month follow-up (P>0.05). GSVs were not correlated with FD values (P>0.05). Conclusion: The DPR and reconstructed panoramic CBCT images exhibit similar image quality for the assessment of FD. There were no changes in FD values or GSVs of the peri-implant trabecular bone structure at the 12-month postoperative evaluation of the functional loading of the implant in comparison to values immediately after implantation. GSVs representing bone mass do not align with FD values that predict bone microstructural parameters. Therefore, GSVs and FDs should be considered different parameters for assessing bone quality.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.184-193
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate marginal leakage of bulk fill flowable composite resin filling with different curing time by using microcomputed tomography technology. Materials and Methods: 30 previously extracted human molars were randomly divided into 6 groups based upon restorative system and different curing time. Class II cavities (vertical slot cavities) were prepared. An individual metallic matrix was used to build up the proximal wall. The SonicFill or SureFil SDR flow was inserted into the preparation by using 1 bulk increment, followed by light polymerization for different curing times. The different exposure times were 20, 40, and 60 seconds. All specimens were submitted to 5,000 thermal cycles for artificial aging. Micro-CT scanning was performed by using SkyScan 1272. One evaluator assessed microleakage of silver nitrated solution at the resin-dentin interface. The 3D image of each leakage around the restoration was reconstructed with CT-Analyser V.1.14.4. The leakage was analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test. Results: Significant differences were observed between the light curing times, but no significant differences were found between the bulk fill composite resins. Increasing in the photoactivation time resulted in greater microleakage in all the experimental groups. Those subjected to 60 seconds of light curing showed higher microleakage means than those exposed for 20 seconds and 40 seconds. Conclusion: Increasing the photoactivation time is factor that may increase marginal microlekage of the bulk fill composite resins. Further, micro-CT can nondestructively detect leakage around the resin composite restoration in three dimensions.

• 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.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

This study was conducted for the purpose of evaluating the stainless steel crowns on extracted primary molars and thus identifying frequent errors and defects. Visual assessment and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) image analysis were performed on 97 primary molars for evaluation of the state of marginal adaptation, cement loss, secondary caries, ledge formation, attritive perforation and marginal polishing defect. The results were as follows: In the examination of object teeth by evaluation criteria, cement loss was found most frequently (98%), followed by secondary caries (42.3%), marginal polishing defect (41.2%), ledge formation (29.9%) and attritive perforation (17.5%), in this order. The cement loss at the margins showed a significant relationship with marginal gap and secondary caries: the larger the marginal gap is, the more frequent is the cement loss (p < 0.05). The average marginal gap was $0.31{\pm}0.26mm$ and showed the highest value in the maxillary 2nd primary molars. The location of the crown margin above the cementoenamel junction was found most frequently and it was found that the higher the crown margin is located, the less the marginal gap becomes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it is thought very desirable to pay closer attention to crown margins and shapes for stainless steel crown restoration in order to minimize the marginal gaps and consequent cement loss.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.155-161
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• 2017

Teeth and bones are highly mineralized tissues containing inorganic minerals such as calcium phosphate, and a growing number of evidences show that their mineral content is associated with many diseases. Although the quantification of mineral contents by micro-computed tomography(micro- CT) has been used in diagnosis and evaluation for treating bone diseases, its application for teeth diseases has not been well established. In this study, we attempted to estimate a usefulness of a high-resolution micro-CT in analysis of human teeth. The teeth were scanned by using the Skyscan 1172 micro-CT. In order to measure tooth mineral content, beam hardening effect of the machine was corrected with a radiopaque iodine-containing substance, iodoacetamide. Under the maximum resolution of $6.6{\mu}m$, X-ray densities in teeth and hydroxyapatite standards were obtained with Hounsfield unit (HU), and they were then converted to an absolute mineral concentration by a CT Analyzer software. In enamel layer of cusp area, the mean mineral concentration was about $2.14mg/mm^3$ and there was a constant mineral concentration gradient from the enamel surface to the dentinoenamel junction. In the dentin of middle 1/3 of tooth, the mean mineral concentration was approximately $1.27mg/mm^3$ and there was a constant mineral concentration gradient from the outer of root to the pulp side, ranging from 1.3 to $1.06mg/mm^3$. In decay region of dentin, the mineral content was gradually decreased from the intact inner side to the decayed surface. These results suggest that high-resolution micro-CT can be as a useful tool for non-invasive measurement of mineral concentration in teeth.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2009

The most troublesome artifacts in micro computed tomography (micro-CT) are ring artifacts. The ring artifacts are caused by non-uniform sensitivity and defective pixels of the x-ray detector. These ring artifacts seriously degrade the quality of CT images. In flat-panel detector based micro-CT systems, the ring artifacts are hardly removed by conventional correction methods of digital radiography, because very small difference of detector pixel signals may make severe ring artifacts. This paper presents a novel method to remove ring artifacts in flat-panel detector based micro-CT systems. First, the bad lines of a sinogram which are caused by defective pixels of the detector are identified, and then, they are corrected using a cubic spline interpolation technique. Finally, a ring artifacts free image is reconstructed from the corrected projections. We applied the method to various kinds of objects and found that the image qualities were much improved.