• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study evaluated the radiopacity of contemporary luting cements using conventional and digital radiography. Materials and Methods: Disc specimens (N=24, n=6 per group, ø$7mm{\times}1mm$) were prepared using 4 resin-based luting cements (Duolink, Multilink N, Panavia F 2.0, and U-cem). The specimens were radiographed using films, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and a photostimulable phosphor plate (PSP) with a 10-step aluminum step wedge (1 mm incremental steps) and a 1-mm-thick tooth cut. The settings were 70 kVp, 4 mA, and 30 cm, with an exposure time of 0.2 s for the films and 0.1 s for the CMOS sensor and PSP. The films were scanned using a scanner. The radiopacity of the luting cements and tooth was measured using a densitometer for the film and NIH ImageJ software for the images obtained from the CMOS sensor, PSP, and scanned films. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Multilink (3.44-4.33) showed the highest radiopacity, followed by U-cem (1.81-2.88), Panavia F 2.0 (1.51-2.69), and Duolink (1.48-2.59). The $R^2$ values of the optical density of the aluminum step wedge were 0.9923 for the films, 0.9989 for the PSP, 0.9986 for the scanned films, and 0.9266 for the CMOS sensor in the linear regression models. Conclusion: The radiopacities of the luting materials were greater than those of aluminum or dentin at the same thickness. PSP is recommended as a detector for radiopacity measurements because of its accuracy and convenience.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The effects of step numbers of copper wedge and exposure on the coefficient of determination (r²) of the conversion equation to Cu-equivalent image and on the Cu-equivalent value (mmCu) and it's coefficient of variation measured at each copper step and the mandibular premolar area were evaluated. Method: Digital image analyzing system consisted of scanner, personal computer, and a stepwedge with 10 steps of 0.03 mm copper in thickness as reference material was prepared for quantitative assessment of the bone mineral density. NIH image program was used for analyzing images. Results : The film having moderately high film density showed the discrepancy between the real thickness and the measured Cu-equivalent value of each copper step. The Cu-equivalent image was dependent on the determinational coefficient of the conversion equation than the coefficient of variance of the measured value. Conclusion : Obtaining conversion equation with high coefficient of determination and proper film exposure are supposed to be neccessary for quantitative assessment of bone density. Multiple steps in the range of the corresponding copper thickness to the bone density of the area to be measured should be prepared.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.245-249
• /
• 2016

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate differences in the required visibility of anatomic structures according to the diagnostic tasks of implant planning and periapical diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Images of a real skull phantom were acquired under 24 combinations of different exposure conditions in a cone-beam computed tomography scanner (60, 70, 80, 90, 100, and 110 kV and 4, 6, 8, and 10 mA). Five radiologists evaluated the visibility of anatomic structures and the image quality for diagnostic tasks using a 6-point scale. results: The visibility of the periodontal ligament space showed the closest association with the ability to use an image for periapical diagnosis in both jaws. The visibility of the sinus floor and canal wall showed the closest association with the ability to use an image for implant planning. Variations in tube voltage were associated with significant differences in image quality for all diagnostic tasks. However, tube current did not show significant associations with the ability to use an image for implant planning. conclusion: The required visibility of anatomic structures varied depending on the diagnostic task. Tube voltage was a more important exposure parameter for image quality than tube current. Different settings should be used for optimization and image quality evaluation depending on the diagnostic task.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.273-279
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of energy level, reconstruction kernel, and tube rotation time on Hounsfield unit (HU) values of hydroxyapatite (HA) in virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) obtained with dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)(Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany). Materials and Methods: A bone density calibration phantom with 3 HA inserts of different densities(CTWATER^®; 0, 100, and 200 mg of HA/㎤) was scanned using a twin-beam DECT scanner at 120 kVp with tube rotation times of 0.5 and 1.0 seconds. The VMIs were reconstructed by changing the energy level (with options of 40 keV, 70 keV, and 140 keV). In order to investigate the impact of the reconstruction kernel, virtual monochromatic images were reconstructed after changing the kernel from body regular 40 (Br40) to head regular 40 (Hr40) in the reconstruction phase. The mean HU value was measured by placing a circular region of interests (ROIs) in the middle of each insert obtained from the VMIs. The HU values were compared with regard to energy level, reconstruction kernel, and tube rotation time. Results: Hydroxyapatite density was strongly correlated with HU values(correlation coefficient=0.678, P<0.05). For the HA 100 and 200 inserts, HU decreased significantly at increased energy levels(correlation coefficient= -0.538, P<0.05) but increased by 70 HU when using Hr40 rather than Br40 (correlation coefficient=0.158, P<0.05). The tube rotation time did not significantly affect the HU(P>0.05). Conclusion: The HU values of hydroxyapatite were strongly correlated with hydroxyapatite density and energy level in VMIs obtained with DECT.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.423-433
• /
• 1999

Purpose : To assess the methods for the clinical evaluation of the longitudinal bone changes after implantation of tooth ash-plaster mixture into the defect area of human jaws. Materials and methods : Tooth ash-plaster mixtures were implanted into the defects of 8 human jaws. 48 intraoral radiograms taken with copper step wedge as reference at soon, 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week after implantation of mixture were used. X-ray taking was standardized by using Rinn XCP device customized directly to the individual dentition with resin bite block. The images inputted by Quick scanner were digitized and analyzed by NIH image program. Cu­equivalent values were measured at the implanted sites from the periodic digital images. Analysis was performed by the bidirectional subtraction with color enhancement and the surface plot of resliced contiguous image. The obtained results by the two methods were compared with Cu­equivalent value changes. Results : The average determination coefficient of Cu-equivalent equations was 0.9988 and the coefficient of variation of measured Cu values ranged from 0.08~0.10. The coefficient of variation of Cu-equivalent values measured at the areas of the mixture and the bone by the conversion equation ranged from 0.06 ~0.09. The analyzed results by the bidirectional subtraction with color enhancement were coincident with the changes of Cu-equivalent values. The surface plot of the resliced contiguous image showed the three dimensional view of the longitudinal bone changes on one image and also coincident with Cu-equivalent value changes after implantation. Conclusion : The bidirectional subtraction with color enhancement and the surface plot of the resliced contiguous image was very effective and reasonable to analyze clinically and qualitatively the longitudinal bone change. These methods are expected to be applicable to the non-destructive test in other fields.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.75-79
• /
• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of exposure time and image resolution on fractal dimension calculations for determining the optimal range of these two variances. Materials and Methods : Thirty-one radiographs of the mandibular angle area of sixteen human dry mandibles were taken at different exposure times (0.01, 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.40, 0.64, and 0.80 s). Each radiograph was digitized at 1200 dpi, 8 bit, 256 gray level using a film scanner. We selected an Region of Interest (ROI) that corresponded to the same region as in each radiograph, but the resolution of ROI was degraded to 1000, 800, 600, 500, 400, 300, 200, and 100 dpi. The fractal dimension was calculated by using the tile-counting method for each image, and the calculated values were then compared statistically. Results: As the exposure time and the image resolution increased, the mean value of the fractal dimension decreased, except the case where exposure time was set at 0.01 seconds (α = 0.05). The exposure time and image resolution affected the fractal dimension by interaction (p<0.001). When the exposure time was set to either 0.64 seconds or 0.80 seconds, the resulting fractal dimensions were lower, irrespective of image resolution, than at shorter exposure times (α = 0.05). The optimal range for exposure time and resolution was determined to be 0.08- 0.40 seconds and from 400-1000 dpi, respectively. Conclusion : Adequate exposure time and image resolution is essential for acquiring the fractal dimension using tile-counting method for evaluation of the mandible.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the reasons and solutions for intraoral phosphor storage plate (PSP) image artifacts and errors, and to develop an appropriate classification of the artifacts. Materials and Methods: This study involved the retrospective examination of 5,000 intraoral images that had been obtained using a phosphor plate system. Image artifacts were examined on the radiographs and classified according to possible causative factors. Results: Artifacts were observed in 1,822 of the 5,000 images. After examination of the images, the errors were divided into 6 groups based on their causes, as follows: images with operator errors, superposition of undesirable structures, ambient light errors, plate artifacts (physical deformations and contamination), scanner artifacts, and software artifacts. The groups were then re-examined and divided into 45 subheadings. Conclusion: Identification of image artifacts can help to improve the quality of the radiographic image and control the radiation dose. Knowledge of the basic physics and technology of PSP systems could aid to reduce the need for repeated radiography.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2012

Fixed dental prostheses such as inlay, onlay, crown, and bridge fabricated by CAD/CAM technique combined with digital impressions is getting popular due to the recent rapid progress of digital impression taking system. For the scope of implant prosthesis, however, digital intra-oral scan hasn't been actively utilized for the fabrication of superstructures. In this case report, 6 cases of titanium-milled custom abutment based on the iTero intra-oral scan data were introduced, five of them were restored with screw-type prosthesis after cementation (SCRP) and the clinical results were satisfactory on restoring the function and esthetics.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.37-54
• /
• 1996

In this thesis, a new superimposition scheme using a computer vision system was proposed with 7 pairs of skull and ante-mortem photographs, which were already identified through other tests and DNA fingerprints at the Korea National Institute of Scientific Investigation. At this computer vision system, an unidentified skull was caught by video-camcoder with the MPEG and a ante-mortem photograph was scanned by scanner. These two images were processed and superimposed using pixel processing. Recognition of the individual identification by anatomical references was performed on the two superimposed images. These results were as followings. 1. For the enhancement of skull and ante-mortem photographs, various image processing schemes, such as SMOOTH, SHARPEN, EMBOSS, MOSAIC, ENGRAVE, INVERT, NEON and COLOR TO MONO, were applied using 3*5 window processing. As an image processing result of these methods, the optimal techniques were NEON, INVERT and ENGRAVE for the edge detection of skull and ante-mortem photograph. 2. Using various superimposition image processing techniques (SRCOR, SRCAND, SRCINVERT, SRCERASE, DSTINVERT, MERGEPAINT) were compared for the enhancement of image recognition. 3. By means of the video camera, the skull image was inputed directly to a computer system : superimposing it on the ante-mortem photograph made the identification more precise and time-saving. As mentioned above, this image processing techniques for the superimposition of skull and ante-mortem photographs simply used the previous approach, In other wrods, taking skull photographs and developing it to the same size as the ante-mortem photographs. This system using various image processing techniques on computer screen, a more precise and time-saving superimposition technique could be able to be applied in the area of individual identification in forensic practice.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.58 no.7
• /
• pp.388-397
• /
• 2020

Objective: The purpose of the study was to calculate the effective and absorbed organ doses of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in pediatric patient using personal computer-based Monte Carlo (PCXMC) software and to compare them with those measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and anthropomorphic phantom. Materials and Methods: Alphard VEGA CBCT scanner was used for this study. A large field of view (FOV) (20.0 cm × 17.9 cm) was selected because it is a commonly used FOV for orthodontic analyses in pediatric patients. Ionization chamber of dose-area product (DAP) meter was located at the tube side of CBCT scanner. With the clinical exposure settings for a 10-year-old patient, DAP value was measured at the scout and main projection of CBCT. Effective and absorbed organ doses of CBCT at scout and main projection were calculated using PCXMC and PCXMCRotation software respectively. Effective dose and absorbed organ doses were compared with those obtained by TLDs and a 10-year-old child anthropomorphic phantom at the same exposure settings. Results: The effective dose of CBCT calculated by PCXMC software was 292.6 μSv, and that measured using TLD and anthropomorphic phantom was 292.5 μSv. The absorbed doses at the organs largely contributing to effective dose showed the small differences between two methods within the range from -18% to 20%. Conclusion: PCXMC software might be used as an alternative to the TLD measurement method for the effective and absorbed organ dose estimation in CBCT of large FOV in pediatric patients.