• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2001

Purpose: To investigate the shape and size of normal sella turcica on cephalometric radiograms. Materials and Methods: Cephalometric radiograms of 200 orthodontic patients of age ranging 6-42 years were examined. All subjects were divided into 5 groups by age, the dimensional change of sella turcica was examined according to age, and the configurations of sella turcica floor, tuberculum sella, and anterior and posterior clinoid process were also observed. Results: The contours of sella turcica floor were flat type in 54% and concave type in 46%. The contours of tuberculum sella were right angle type in 55% and obtuse angle type in 44%; Acute angle type and plane type were very rare comprising 0.5%, 0.5% each. The configurations of anterior clinoid process were point type in 80% and round type in 20% of cases, and those of posterior clinoid processes were point type in 60% and round type in 40% of cases. The dimensional change of sella turcica according to age range had significantly positive linear trend to sella turcica length, height, and width until 25 years. After 26 years, no significant increase was found in sella turcica dimension. Especially, the sella turcica length had more proportional increase than that of sella turcica height and width. Conclusion : The results of this study revealed that the configuration of normal sella turcica was variable and the dimensional change of normal sella turcica had a linear tendency with age until 26 years.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2004

Purpose: To compare three digital radiographic imaging sensors by evaluating the visibility of endodontic file tips with interobserver reproducibility and assessing subjectively the clarity of images in comparison with the x-ray film images. Materials and Methods: Forty-five extracted sound premolars were used for this study. Fifteen plaster blocks were made with three premolars each and #8, 10, 15 K-flexofiles were inserted into the root canal of premolars. They were radiographically exposed using periapical x-ray films (Kodak Insight Dental film, Eastmann Kodak company, Rochester, USA), Digora imaging plates (Soredex-Orion Co., Helsinki, Finland), CDX 2000HQ sensors (Biomedisys Co., Seoul, Korea), and CDR sensors (Schick Inc., Long Island, USA). The visibility of endodontic files was evaluated with interobserver reproducibility, which was calculated as the standard deviations of X, Y coordinates of endodontic file tips measured on digital images by three oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The clarity of images was assessed subjectively using 3 grades, i.e. plus, equal, and minus in comparison with the conventional x-ray film images. Results: Interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tips was the highest in CDR sensor (p < 0.05) only except at Y coordinates of #15 file. In the subjective assessment of the image clarity, the plus grade was the most frequent in CDR sensor at all size of endodontic file (p < 0.05). Conclusion : CDR sensor was the most superior to the other sensors, CDX 2000HQ sensor and Digora imaging plate in the evaluation of interobserver reproducibility of endodontic file tip and subjective assessment of image clarity.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate whether cone beam computed tomography can depict the distribution, position, frequency, relative vertical dimension, and the diameter of the lingual foramen and direction of lingual bone canal. Materials and Methods : Cone beam computed tomography of mandible was performed on 25 males and 25 females with no history of any orthodontic treatments or any other dental surgeries. A statistical comparison was done on the mean values of males and females. Results: In the location and distribution of lingual foramina, median lingual foramen was found in all subjects and lateral lingual foramen in 58%. In the lateral lingual foramen, bilateral type was found in 28% and unilateral type in 30%. In the number of lingual foramina, median lingual foramen had two foramina and lateral lingual foramen had one foramen, mostly. In the relative mean vertical dimension of lingual foramina, median lingual foramen was 0.03±0.08, and both lateral lingual foramina was 0.20±0.04. The mean diameter of lingual foramina, median lingual foramen was 0.9mm±0.28, right lateral lingual foramen was 0.92mm±0.23, and left lateral lingual foramen was 0.88mm±0.27. The most frequent direction of the lingual bone canals, median lingual bone canal proceeded in anteroinferior direction and lateral lingual bone canal in anterosuperolateral direction. Conclusion : Cone beam computed tomography can be helpful for surgery and implantation on the mandibular area. Radiologist should be aware of this anatomical feature and its possible implications.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical findings and treatment results for impacted permanent teeth associated with odontomas. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively investigated 73 odontomas in 72 patients who visited Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital from April 2004 through November 2011. The study was performed using medical records, panoramic radiographs, and pathological reports. Data gathered included age, gender, location, chief complaints, effects on dentition, and treatment of odontoma and the impacted tooth associated with odontoma. Results : Most compound odontomas (46.7%) were found in the second decade and complex odontomas were not related to age. Odontomas showed no gender predilection. Fifty-five cases (75.3%) of odontomas were detected on routine dental radiographs. Sixty percent of compound odontomas occurred in the canine area and 57.1% of complex odontomas in the molar areas. Impaction of permanent teeth (61.6%) was the most common complication on the adjacent teeth. Most odontomas (84.9%) were removed surgically and impacted permanent teeth were managed by surgical removal (53.2%), orthodontic treatment (25.5%), or surgical repositioning (6.4%). There was a statistically significant relation between age and preservation of the impacted permanent teeth associated with odontomas (p<0.01). Conclusion : Early detection and treatment of odontomas increase the possibility of preservation of the impacted tooth. Therefore, it would be suggested that periodic panoramic examination during the first and second decade of life might be beneficial for the early detection and better prognosis of odontomas.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2007

Purpose : Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture are important determinants for bone strength. Recently micro-CT have provided possibilities for measuring a variety of structural indices to characterize bone microarchitecture. The objective of this study was to compare the BMD and micro-CT parameters with Young's modulus calculated by finite element analysis (FEA) for the evaluation of bone strength. Materials and Methods Bone specimens were obtained from the 18 female rabbits aged 16 weeks. Of those, 36 samples (right and left femur) were selected for 3D micro-CT analysis $(ANT^{TM},\;SKYSCAN,\;Belgium)$ and BMD by PIXlmus 2 (GE Lunar Co. USA). Five microstructural parameters of micro-CT, such as trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), bone specific surface (BS/BV), percent bone volume (BV/TV), structure model index (SMI) and degree of anisotropy (DOA) were studied. Young's modulus was obtained by software program (ANSYS 9.0, ANSYS Inc, Canonsburg, PA) based on micro-CT three dimensional images. Results : Young's modulus assessed by FEA correlated significantly with Tb.Th, BV/TV, BS/BV and SMI respectively. Young's modulus showed higher correlation with these rnicrostructural parameters of micro-CT than BMD. Microstructural parameters except DOA showed significant correlations within the examined group. Conclusion The microarchitectural parameters o( micro-CT and BMD represented some informations in the evaluation of bone strength assessed by FEA.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-161
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• 2008

Purpose : To compare and evaluate the diagnostic ability of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Materials and Methods : CBCT and MRI of 46 TMJs of 23 patients with TMJ disorders were evaluated. They were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the articular disc of the TMJ at closed mouth position and the reduction of the disc during open mouth position on MRI: no disc displacement group (NDD), disc displacement with reduction group (DDR), and disc displacement without reduction group (DDWR). With PACS viewing soft-wares, position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa, osseous change of mandibular condyle, shape of articular fossa, and mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions of mandibular condyle were evaluated on CBCT and MRI. Each value was tested statistically. Results : The position of mandibular condyle in the articular fossa were concentric in the NDD, DDR, and DDWR of CBCT and NDD of MRI. However, condyle was positioned posteriorly in DDR and DDWR of MRI. Flattening, sclerosis and osteophyte of the mandibular condyle were much more apparent on DDR of CBCT than MRI. And the erosion of the condyle was much more apparent on DDWR of MRI than CBCT. Box and Sigmoid types of articular fossa were found most frequently in DDR of MRI. Flattened type was found most frequently in DDR of CBCT and deformed type was found most frequently in DDWR of CBCT. No significant difference in mediolateral and anteroposterior dimensions were shown on CBCT and MRI. Conclusion : Since MRI and CBCT has unique diagnostic imaging ability, both modalities should be used together to supplement each other to evaluate TMJ.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to observe the bony change in the OVX rat longitudinally and to study the alendronate effect. Materials and Methods: Eighteen Sprague-Dewley rats, eight-week old each, were randomly assigned into three groups: one of those sham-operated (N=4), the other two were OVX: saline-treated (N=7) and alendronate-treated group (N=7). The saline-treated group was administered with saline solution (0.1mL/100g) daily, while the alendronate-treated group was given alendronate (1mg/kg, Sigma-Aldrich Corp. Korea) daily. Micro-CT scannings of the lumbar were consecutively done at baseline, at 3-week intervals during 9 weeks. Two and three dimensional bony analysis were done. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured with Piximus (GE Lunar Co. USA). The average values of these three methods were compared with each group. Results: After 6 weeks the BMD of the OVX group showed lower tendency than that of sham group. After 6 weeks many 3D parameters of micro-CT showed higher values in the OVX-alendronate group compared with the OVXsaline group. Most 2D bony parameters were higher in the OVX-alendronate group compared with the OVX-saline group at 9 weeks. Conclusion: This study showed low BMD of the OVX group after 6 weeks and showed the effect of alendronate on the BMD and bony structures of ovariectomized rats. This study also showed usefulness of in vivo micro-CT in monitoring individual bone changes over time.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-167
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the position of the mandibular canal in relation to the mandibular third molar by cone beam CT in cases showing a close relationship between the third molar and the mandibular canal on the panoramic radiograph. Materials and Methods : The panoramic images and cone beam CT scans of 87 impacted mandibular third molars in 60 patients were evaluated to assess the tooth relationship to the mandibular canal. The clearness of the canal wall and the vertical depth of the lower third molar were evaluated on panoramic radiographs. The lower third molars were assessed using cone beam CT to determine the proximity and position of the canal relative to the roots. Results : In the 66 cases where the canal wall was unclear on the panoramic radiographs, 58 (87.9%) of the third molars had contact between the canal and root; 34 (51.5%) canals were showed an inferior position and 22 (33.3%) showed a linguoinferior position on cone beam CT. Conclusion : Interruption of the canal wall on panoramic radiographs was highly predictive of contact between the mandibular canal and the third molar. Cross sectional CT may be indicated for localization of the mandibular canal in such cases.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between anterior disc displacement and effusion in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The study subjects included 253 TMD patients. MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5 T MRI scanner. T1- and T2-weighted images with para-sagittal and para-coronal images were obtained. According to the MRI findings, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc positions were divided into 3 subgroups: normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction (DWR), and anterior disc displacement without reduction (DWOR). The cases of effusion were divided into 4 groups: normal, mild (E1), moderate (E2), and marked effusion (E3). Statistical analysis was made by the Fisher's exact test using SPSS (version 12.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: The subjects consisted of 62 males and 191 females with a mean age of 28.5 years. Of the 253 patients, T1- and T2-weighted images revealed 34 (13.4%) normal, DWR in 103 (40.7%), and DWOR in 116 (45.9%) on the right side and 37 (14.6%) normal, DWR in 94 (37.2%), and DWOR in 122 (48.2%) joints on the left side. Also, T2-images revealed 82 (32.4%) normal, 78 (30.8%) E1, 51 (20.2%) E2, and 42 (16.6%) E3 joints on the right side and 79 (31.2%) normal, 85 (33.6%) E1, 57 (22.5%) E2, and 32 (12.7%) E3 on the left side. There was no difference between the right and left side. Conclusion: Anterior disc displacement was not related to the MRI findings of effusion in TMD patients (P>0.05).

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the location and the shape of the mandibular lingula in skeletal class I and III patients using panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: The sample group included 190 skeletal class I patients and 157 class III patients. The location of the lingula in relation to the deepest point of the coronoid notch was classified into 3 types using panoramic radiographs. The shapes of the lingulae were classified into nodular, triangular, truncated, or assimilated types using cone-beam computed tomographic images. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: The tips of the lingulae were at the same level as the coronoid notch in 75.3% of skeletal class I patients and above the coronoid notch in 66.6% of class III patients. The positions of the lingulae in relation to the deepest point of the coronoid notch showed statistically significant differences between class I and class III patients. The most common shape was nodular, and the least common was the assimilated shape. Although this trend was not statistically significant, the triangular shape was more frequently observed in class III patients than in class I patients. Conclusion: The locations and the shapes of the mandibular lingulae were variable. Most of the lingulae were at the same level as the coronoid notch in skeletal class I patients and above the coronoid notch in skeletal class III patients. The nodular and assimilated-shaped lingulae were the most and the least prevalent, respectively.