• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of studies in the literature comparing conventional imaging techniques with cone-beam computed tomography in terms of the role of these techniques for assessing any of the following periodontal conditions and parameters: infrabony defects, furcation involvement, height of the alveolar bone crest, and the periodontal ligament space. Materials and Methods: Interventional and observational studies comparing conventional imaging techniques with cone-beam computed tomography were considered eligible for inclusion. The MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for articles published through 2017. The PRISMA statement was followed during data assessment and extraction. Results: The search strategy yielded 351 publications. An initial screening of the publications was performed using abstracts and key words, and after the application of exclusion criteria, 13 studies were finally identified as eligible for review. Conclusion: These studies revealed cone-beam computed tomography to be the best imaging technique to assess infrabony defects, furcation lesions, the height of the alveolar bone crest, and the periodontal ligament space.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2007

Purpose: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides a lower dose and cost alternative to conventional CT, promising to revolutionize the practice of oral and maxillofacial radiology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the absorbed and effective doses of Implagraphy and VCT (Vatech Co., Hwasung, Korea) and compare them with those of panoramic radiography. Materials and Methods: Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips were placed at 27 sites throughout the layers of Female ART Head and Neck Phantom for dosimetry. Implagraphy, VCT units, and Planmeca Proline XC panoramic unit were used for radiation exposures. Radiation weighted doses and effective doses were measured and calculated using 1990 and 2005 ICRP tissue weighting factors. Results: Effective doses in Sv (ICRP 2005, ICRP 1990) were 90.19, 61.62 for Implagraphy at maxillay molar area, 123.20, 90.02 for Implagraphy at mandibular molar area, 183.55, 139.26 for VCT and 40.92, 27.16 for panoramic radiography. Conclusion: Effective doses for VCT and Implagraphy were only about 2.2 to 4.5 times greater than those for panoramic radiography. VCT and Implagraphy, CBCT machines recently developed in Korea, showed moderately low effective doses.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.34.1-34.9
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the presence of pulp stones through an examination of cone beam computed tomography images and correlate their prevalence with age, sex, dental arch and side, tooth type, and restoration type and depth. Materials and Methods: Cone beam computed tomography images obtained from 673 patients and archival data on 11,494 teeth were evaluated. The associations of pulp stones with age, sex, dental arch and side, tooth type, and restoration type and depth were noted. All the measurements were subjected to a χ² test and one sample χ² test (p < 0.05). Results: In the study group, 163 (24.2%) patients and 379 (3.3%) teeth had at least one pulp stone. The pulp stone frequency in those aged 30-39 years was significantly greater than in those aged 18-29 and ≥ 60 years, and the frequency was higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The highest prevalence of pulp stones was found in maxillary dental arches and molar teeth (p < 0.05). Pulp stones were significantly more common in medium-depth restorations (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Maxillary molar teeth, medium-depth restorations, individuals aged 30-39 years and females had a greater percentage of pulp stones.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability of 7 panoramic radiographic signs for predicting proximity of the root apices of mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal using cone-beam computed tomography and to correlate these findings with the Pell and Gregory and the Winter classification systems. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 74 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. Four panoramic radiographic signs were observed in the tooth root (darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root apices, and bifid apices), and another 3 in the mandibular canal (diversion, narrowing, and interruption of the mandibular canal). Cone-beam computed tomography images were analyzed to identify disruption and diversion of the mandibular canal and root deflection. Results: Binary logistic regression showed that only 4 of the 7 panoramic radiographic signs were able to predict proximity of the root apices of the mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal: darkening of the root, deflection of the root, narrowing of the root, and interruption of the mandibular canal(P<0.05). Conclusion: Darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root, in tandem with the interruption of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs, indicate that cone-beam computed tomography should be performed when planning the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Proximity between mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal is correlated with the Winter classification.

• 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.43 no.4
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• pp.309-312
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• 2013

A retromolar canal is an anatomical variation in the mandible. As it includes the neurovascular bundle, local anesthetic insufficiency can occur, and an injury of the retromolar canal during dental surgery in the mandible may result in excessive bleeding, paresthesia, and traumatic neuroma. Using imaging analysis software, we evaluated the cone-beam computed tomography (CT) images of two Korean patients who presented with retromolar canals. Retromolar canals were detectable on the sagittal and cross-sectional images of cone-beam CT, but not on the panoramic radiographs of the patients. Therefore, the clinician should pay particular attention to the identification of retromolar canals by preoperative radiographic examination, and additional cone beam CT scanning would be recommended.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.753-761
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to examine distribution of accessory mandibular canal and its characteristics in mandibular third molars. Materials and methods: A total of 251 subjects (166 males and 85 females) having mandibular third molars bilaterally were included in the study. Cone-beam computed tomographic images were reviewed for bifid or trifid accessory mandibular canal. The prevalence of accessory mandibular canal was evaluated according to gender, side and its branching type. Proximity and crosssectional position of accessory mandibular canal to mandibular third molar was analyzed. Results: Accessory mandibular canals were found in 66 (26.3%) of 251 patients and 86 (17.1%) of 502 hemi-mandibles. Gender and sides showed no statistically significant differences in prevalence. Retromolar canal (46.1%) was the most common branching type. Proximity of accessory canal to mandibular third molars showed mean distance of 2.8 mm from third molar and a statistically significant difference was found among types of accessory canal. Dental canal was the closest to tooth among branching types and closer to tooth than main canal. On cross-sectional view, accessory canal was generally located on buccal side of mandibular third molar. Conclusion: Accessory mandibular canal was common and well detected with cone-beam computed tomography. Their localization is significant in all anesthetic and surgical procedures involving mandibular third molars.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2014

Recent research in endodontics has highlighted the need for three-dimensional imaging in the clinical arena as well as in research. Three-dimensional imaging using computed tomography (CT) has been used in endodontics over the past decade. Three types of CT scans have been studied in endodontics, namely cone-beam CT, spiral CT, and peripheral quantitative CT. Contemporary endodontics places an emphasis on the use of cone-beam CT for an accurate diagnosis of parameters that cannot be visualized on a two-dimensional image. This review discusses the role of CT in endodontics, pertaining to its importance in the diagnosis of root canal anatomy, detection of periradicular lesions, diagnosis of trauma and resorption, presurgical assessment, and evaluation of the treatment outcome.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2015

In 1942 Stafne reported 35 asymptomatic, radiolucent cavities that were unilaterally located in the posterior region of the mandible between the mandibular angle and the third molar, and below the mandibular canal. The term Stafne bone cavity (SBC) is now used for such asymptomatic lingual bone depressions of the lower jaw. Since then there have been many reports of SBCs but very fews tudies have used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for their diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to describe the clinical and radiological characteristics of two cases of SBCs and the importance of limited CBCT in confirming the diagnosis.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2015

The mental foramen is a bilateral opening in the vestibular portion of the mandible through which nerve endings, such as the mental nerve, emerge. In general, the mental foramen is located between the lower premolars. This region is a common area for the placement of dental implants. It is very important to identify anatomical variations in presurgical imaging exams since damage to neurovascular bundles may have a direct influence on treatment success. In the hemimandible, the mental foramen normally appears as a single structure, but there are some rare reports on the presence and number of anatomical variations; these variations may include accessory foramina. The present report describes the presence of accessory mental foramina in the right mandible, as detected by cone-beam computed tomography before dental implant placement.