• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2005

Purpose: To classify and describe the characteristic features of MRI of some ameloblastoma variants. Materials and Methods: The MR images, CT images, and panoramic radiographs in 5 cases were retrospectively examined as follows. First, the contents of ameloblastomas were devided into two portions of either solid or cystic components on the basis of MR signal intensities. The signal intensity within the solid or cystic portions was classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Next, the characteristic internal feature of the lesion on T1W1 or T2WI was described. The signal intensities were classified into low, intermediate, slightly high, high, and strong high signal intensity. Results: Unicystic lesion showed homogeneous high signal intensity (SI) on T2W2 and the rim enhancement of the surrounding area including the mural nodule and the thick wall except the central portion on Gd- T1W1. Solid type revealed heterogeneous and high SI area with strong high SI area on T2W2. On Gd- T1W1, the area corresponding to the low signal spot on T1W1 and the strong high signal spot on T2W1 showed low SI. Hybrid type showed slightly enhanced capsular structures and low SI for the round bony septa and the areas connecting the mixed and cystic lesions on T2Wl and Gd-T1W1. Conclusion: MRI could easily assess the relationship between the mixed and cystic findings in ameloblastoma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.199-202
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• 2005

Purpose : To report the incidence of radiological findings from screening panoramic radiographs and verify the validity of the panoramic radiography for screening purposes. Materials and Methods : Six thousand one hundred and sixty panoramic radiographs taken from the patients visiting the Health Promotion Center of CNUH were selected for this retrospective study. Panoramic radiographs were examined into the following pathologic conditions : the presence of periodontal bone loss, dental caries, periapical radiolucencies, retained roots, impacted supernumerary teeth, impacted third molars, odontoma, cystic lesions other than radicular cyst, sialoliths, and mixed radiolucent-radiopaque lesions. Number of pathologic conditions and Prevalence values were recorded. Results: The prevalences of pathologic conditions were $72.9\%$ of periodontal bone loss, $32.2\%$ of dental caries, $11.9\%$ of periapical radiolucencies, $10.8\%$ of retained roots, $0.4\%$ of root fracture, $1.0\%$ of impacted supernumerary teeth, $1.0\%$ of impacted third molars, $0.06\%$ of odontoma, $0.08\%$ of cystic lesion other than radicular cyst, $0.2\%$ of prolonged retention of deciduous tooth, $0.1\%$ of sialolith, and $0.04\%$ of mixed radiopaque and radiolucent lesion. Conclusion : Although the panoramic radiograph should not be used to replace intraoral radiographic and clinical examinations, this study showed that many dental pathologic conditions could be detected on panoramic radiographs. The panoramic radiograph might serve as a diagnostic aid in dental health evaluation programs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2006

Purpose : To describe the MRI findings of the antero-superior attachment of the disc in patients with internal derangement. Materials and Methods : One hundred fifty-six MR images from 40 normal subjects and 55 abnormal subjects were classified into three study groups of normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction and anterior disc displacement without reduction. On both closed- and open-mouth proton density sagittal images, the depiction of the antero-superior attachment of the disc and its demarcation from the disc were evaluated in three cuts of lateral, central and medial one thirds of the condyle. Results : The depiction of antero-superior attachment was more frequent by the order of normal, anterior disc displacement with reduction and anterior disc displacement without reduction groups, and the significant differences were found on lateral cut of the closed images and lateral and central cuts of the open images. In study for the demarcation between the antero-superior attachment and the disc the lateral cut of the closed images and all three cuts of the open images showed significant differences. Conclusion : Open images are useful to show the difference in depiction of the antero-superior attachment of the disc among the TMJ groups.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.233-240
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated maxillary third molars and their relation to the maxillary sinus using panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) Materials and Methods: A total of 395 maxillary third molars in 234 patients were examined using panoramic radiographs and CBCT images. We examined the eruption level of the maxillary third molars, the available retromolar space, the angulation, the relationship to the second molars, the number of roots, and the relationship between the roots and the sinus. Results: Females had a higher frequency of maxillary third molars with occlusal planes apical to the cervical line of the second molar (Level C) than males. All third molars with insufficient retromolar space were Level C. The most common angulation was vertical, followed by buccoangular. Almost all of the Level C molars were in contact with the roots of the second molar. Erupted teeth most commonly had three roots, and completely impacted teeth most commonly had one root. The superimposition of one third of the root and the sinus floor was most commonly associated with the sinus floor being located on the buccal side of the root. Conclusion: Eruption levels were differently distributed according to gender. A statistically significant association was found between the eruption level and the available retromolar space. When panoramic radiographs showed a superimposition of the roots and the sinus floor, expansion of the sinus to the buccal side of the root was generally observed in CBCT images.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2007

Purpose : To determine the more valuable information to detect the mandibular canal and the mental foramen in panoramic radiographs of a selected Korean population for the implant. Materials and Methods : This study analysed 288 panoramic radiographic images of patients taken at the Dental hospital of Chosun University retrospectively. Indirect digital panoramic X-ray machine (ProlineXC, PLANMECA, Finland) with processing by using Directview $CR950^@$ (Kodak, U.S.A.) and Direct digital panoramic X-ray machine (Promax, PLANMECA, Finland) were used for all exposures. All images were converted into Dicom format. Results : The common position of the mental foramen was in line with the longitudinal axis of the second premolar (68.1%). The mental foramen was symmetrical in 81.8% of cases. The mandibular canal was not identified at anterior portion and discontinued with the mental foramen in 27.8% of all cases, in 42.4% identified with lower border line continued with the mental foramen, in 14.6% with both upper and lower border lines, and in 15.3% unilaterally identified with lower border line. Conclusion : Clinicians can estimate the upper border line of the mandibular canal from the confirmation of the mental foramen and the lower border line of the mandibular canal symmetrically on the panoramic radiography taken in adjusted midsaggital plane of patient's head.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2003

Purpose : To investigate the reproducibility of the conventional and digital radiographs to determine the depth of approximal root cavities. Materials and Methods : A total of 80 artificial root cavities were prepared in the approximal surfaces of premolars, maxillary and mandibular molars. Standardized radiographs were taken at the baseline (0° horizontal and 0° vertical) and at a horizontal angulation of 10° in both mesial and distal directions. Radiographic cavity depths were measured by both conventional and digital radiographs. Results: At 0° horizontal angulation, no statistically significant differences could be determined between the results of conventionally and digitally determined radiographic depths with respect to the actual cavity depths in all premolar, maxillary, and mandibular molar groups. All conventional and digital radiographic depths at both 10° mesial and distal angulations showed statistically significant increases in depth compared to the actual cavity depths (p < 0.05), with the exception of digital radiographic depth at 10° mesial angulation for premolars. There were no statistically significant differences between conventional and digital radiographic depths for all groups. Conclusion: The present study suggests that both conventional and digital radiographs provide reproducible assessment of the depth of the approximal root cavity. But horizontal X-ray beam movements are likely to result in increase in radiographic cavity depth.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2003

Purpose : To compare the diagnostic accuracy of proximal caries detection between Kodak Insight film and the Biomedisys CDX2000HQ digital (CCD) sensor. Materials and Methods: 156 proximal surfaces of extracted teeth, 78 of which had chemical artificial caries, were used in this study. Four observers interpreted the radiographs using a five-point confidence rating scale to record their diagnoses. The results were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves, ANOVA and Kappa values. Result: Analysis using receiver operating characteristic curves revealed the areas under each curve which indicated a diagnostic accuracy of 0.951 in Insight and 0.952 in CDX2000HQ digital sensor. ANOVA revealed no significant differences between the two images with respect to caries detection. Kappa values indicated that the mean intra-observer agreement was 0.85 and inter-observer agreement 0.71 in conventional radiography. In digital radiography, the mean intra-observer agreement was 0.84 and inter-observer agreement 0.72. Conclusion: The results suggest that no significant difference exists between the two modalities for artificial caries detection and that CDX2000HQ was as good as Insight film for this purpose.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.169-174
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• 2012

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of osteoarthritic changes and condylar positioning of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in Korean children and adolescents with or without temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Materials and Methods: A total of 101 asymptomatic and 181 symptomatic children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old were included in the study. Osteoarthritic changes such as flattening, sclerosis, osteophytes, or erosion, and the parasagittal positioning of the condyle were assessed using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Results: The overall prevalence of osteoarthritic changes was higher in symptomatic (26.8%) than in asymptomatic adolescents (9.9%) (p<0.05). In the symptomatic group, the frequency was higher in males (33.3%) than in females (23.0%) (p<0.05). Erosion was the most common change for the symptomatic group (15.6%), whereas sclerosis was the most common change for the asymptomatic group (5.4%). Posterior condylar position was more frequently observed in the symptomatic group (p<0.05). Erosion was more common in the samples with TMJ pain or mouth opening limitations as compared to those without them (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that osteoarthritic changes in TMJ were common in children and adolescents, with a much higher prevalence in symptomatic patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.69-73
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• 2009

Purpose: This study compared panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for evaluating the relationship between the maxillary sinus floor and the roots of maxillary molars. Materials and Methods: Paired panoramic radiographs and CBCT images from 97 subjects were analysed. This analysis classified 388 maxillary molars according to their relationship to the maxillary sinus floor on panoramic radiograph and CBCT. Correlations between these two radiographic techniques were examined. Results: Maxillary molar roots that were separate from the sinus floor showed the same classification in 100% of the cases when using these two imaging techniques. The corresponding percentage for such roots that were in contact with the sinus floor was 75%. When roots overlapped the maxillary sinus floor on panoramic radiographs, only 26.4% of maxillary first molars and 60.0% of second molars showed protrusion of roots into the sinus with CBCT. Conclusion : The results of the study suggest that roots projecting into the sinus on panoramic radiographs require a three-dimensional image in order to analyze the proximity of their apex to the sinus floor. (Korean J Oral Maxillofac Radiol2009; 39 : 69-73)

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.79-82
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether panoramic radiographs were useful in predicting osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: 50 postmenoposal women between the age of 41.8 and 78.5 were classified as normal and osteoporosis groups according to the bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae. Panoramic radiographs were taken. Age, body mass index, remaining mandibular teeth, mandibular cortical thickness and morphology, and fractal dimensions at periapical areas of mandibular first molars were evaluated to differentiate the two groups. Results: The age of osteoporotic group was statistically significantly higher than that of normal group (p<0.05), but not the body mass index or number of remaining mandibular teeth. The mean fractal dimension of osteoporotic group was $1.391{\pm}0.085$, and was significantly lower than that of the normal group, which was $1.523{\pm}0.725$ (p<0.01). Thick mandibular cortical thickness was common in normal group, whereas thin or very thin mandibular cortical thickness was common in osteoporotic group and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). C2 pattern was common in normal group followed by C1, whereas C2 was common in osteoporotic group followed by C3. The difference was statistically significant (p< 0.0 1). Conclusion: Age, mandibular cortical thickness and shape, fractal dimension on panoramic radiographs were useful in predicting osteoporosis.