Normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in a population in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the normative and subjective need for orthodontic treatment within different age groups in Turkey. METHODS: One thousand and sixteen patients from seven different demographic regions of Turkey (Marmara, Black Sea, East Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, Mediterranean, Aegean, and Central Anatolia Region) (mean age ± SD: 12.80 ± 3.57 years) were randomly selected and divided into six age groups (7-8,9-10,11-12,13-14,15-16, and 17-18 year-olds) and categorized according to the dental health component (DHC) of the index for orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). Additionally, the patients were asked to indicate the photograph that was most similar to their own dentition from the 10-point scale of the aesthetic component of IOTN. RESULTS: The DHC of IOTN was not significantly different between the six age groups (P > 0.05). However, no/slight need (aesthetic component 1-4) for orthodontic treatment according to AC of IOTN was significantly higher in 13-14,15-16, and 17-18 age groups than 7-8, 9-10, and 11-12 age groups (P < 0.05). No sex differences were found in both DHC and aesthetic component of IOTN between age groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The normative need distribution was homogeneous within all the age groups according to DHC. However, the subjective need for orthodontic treatment was higher in the younger age groups.

The usage of digital radiography and cone beam computed tomography among Turkish dentists.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the use of digital radiography and report how it was used by Turkish dentists. METHODS: The survey was based on 383 dentists who were present at the sixteenth International Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. A questionnaire which consisted of 19 questions was given to the dentists who participated in the study. Data were assessed according to frequency distribution and the χ(2) test was used to determine the significance of differences between two independent groups. RESULTS: 376 questionnaires were analysed. The mean age of the dentists who participated in the study was 37.14 ± 9.6 years (range: 20-63 years). The distribution of the dentists according to the 7 regions of Turkey were: Marmara 58%, Aegean 13% and Mediterranean 10%, Central Anatolia 8%, Black Sea 7%, Southeastern Anatolia 3%, Eastern Anatolia 1%. 124 dentists (33%) said they did not work with digital radiography. 95 dentists indicated that they did not use digital radiography owing to cost (60%). 252 dentists (67%) said they used digital radiography. 40% of the participants noted that the repetition of periapical radiographs was due to digital radiography. 166 dentists (55.9%) and 79.1% academicians had knowledge about cone beam CT (CBCT). CONCLUSION: Digital radiography users are increasing in Turkey and levels of knowledge of CBCT and awareness of radiation safety has also increased.

Detection of jaw and root fractures using cone beam computed tomography: a case report.

The aim of this case report is to demonstrate jaw and root fractures using a combination of cone beam CT (CBCT), CT and conventional radiographs. In this presentation a 23-year-old female patient who was referred to our dental clinic with a severe facial trauma is reported. The patient was initially examined by a general dentist and a fracture in the mandibular right canine region was diagnosed on the CT images. Once referred to our clinic, the raw CT images were re-evaluated by three maxillofacial radiologists in the Oral Diagnosis and Radiology Department. Two new fracture lines that were not reported on the original CT analysis were diagnosed among the raw CT images. More detailed information was obtained about dentoalveolar fractures with CBCT compared with CT and conventional radiography.