Evaluation of dehiscence and fenestration in adolescents affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the dehiscence and fenestration presence in maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth of patients affected by bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and compared the findings with a well-matched control group of noncleft patients using cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 51 patients were divided into 2 groups (group 1, 21 patients affected by BCLP; mean age; 14.62 ± 2.89 years; and group 2, 30 patients as the noncleft control group; mean age, 14.22 ± 1.05 years) and assessed them for dehiscence and fenestration in the anterior maxillary and mandibular teeth. Data were analyzed with the Student t test, Pearson chi-square test, and Fischer exact test. RESULTS: The prevalences of dehiscence in patients affected by BCLP were 61.11% in the maxillary and 48.41% in the mandibular anterior teeth, whereas the rates in the noncleft group were 7.78% and 16.67%, respectively (P < 0.001). The presence of fenestration was found to be statistically significantly higher in the maxillary central incisors of the BCLP group compared with the noncleft controls (P < 0.05), and almost similar rates were noted for the other teeth, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that patients affected by BCLP may have higher prevalences of dehiscence in the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and of fenestration in the maxillary central incisors.

Evaluation of the mandibular volume and correlating variables in patients affected by unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate: a cone-beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the mandibular volume in patients affected by unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) and to compare the findings with a well-matched normal occlusion sample without cleft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 66 patients divided into UCLP (24 patients; mean age, 14.46 ± 3.24 years), BCLP (17 patients; mean age, 14.28 ± 2.85 years), and control (25 patients; mean age, 14.40 ± 2.81 years) groups. The volume of the mandible including the condyle and the roots of the teeth and craniofacial measurements were performed using cone-beam computed tomography and analyzed using the one-way variance analysis and post hoc Tukey's tests. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships of the measurements and the mandibular volume. RESULTS: Patients affected by UCLP and BCLP had similar craniofacial features (p > 0.05), including decreased SNB, Co-A, Co-Gn, Co-Go, and Go-Gn and increased ANB and SN-MP measurements compared to the control group. Both UCLP and BCLP groups had decreased values of mandibular volume compared to the normal occlusion group, while these differences were found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Co-Go (Beta = 0.420; p = 0.014) and Co-Gn variables (Beta = 0.708; p = 0.045) were positively correlated with mandibular volume, while SNB (Beta = -0.669; p = 0.044) and SN-MP (Beta = -0.358; p = 0.049) variables were negatively correlated (R (2) = 60.3 and p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Mandibular volume insignificantly differs in cleft patients (p > 0.05), and the variables of Co-Go, Co-Gn, SNB, and SN-MP significantly correlate with the volume. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article investigates mandibular volume in patients affected by UCLP and BCLP that has never been investigated in the literature. The present study showed that both UCLP and BCLP groups had insignificantly decreased values of mandibular volume compared to the normal occlusion group.

Evaluation of the Transverse Craniofacial Morphology of Adolescents With Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the transverse craniofacial morphology of the adolescent patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to compare the findings with age- and sex-matched control group without any cleft using their cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: The study sample (n = 56 patients; mean age: 14.35 ±â€Š3.06 years) consisted of 26 UCLP (n = 26 patients; 10 women and 16 men; mean age: 13.70 ±â€Š2.94 years) and 30 control (n = 30 patients; 19 women and 11 men; mean age: 14.90 ±â€Š3.10 years) subjects. Twenty-five conventional skeletal and dental tissue landmarks were identified. Twenty widely used frontal cephalometric variables (14 linear distances, 3 angles, and 3 ratios) were measured. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test between the groups. RESULTS: Patients affected by UCLP had statistically significantly smaller interorbital width (89.83 ±â€Š4.16 mm), maxillary width (58.02 ±â€Š5.77 mm), maxillary intermolar width (52.83 ±â€Š4.83 mm), and upper face height (57.64 ±â€Š4.57 mm) (P < 0.05) compared with the control group. Conversely, ANS-isf distance was significantly greater in the UCLP group (29.62 ±â€Š5.19 mm) than in the control group (26.74 ±â€Š3.99 mm) (P = 0.023). Moreover, alveolar cleft width had significant effect on Cr-ANS (r = 0.446, P = 0.022) and the ANS-isf (r = 0.459, P = 0.018) measurements. CONCLUSION: The UCLP group showed statistically significantly smaller values for interorbital width, maxillary width, maxillary intermolar width, and upper face height than the noncleft controls.

Evaluation of root canal morphology of human primary molars by using CBCT and comprehensive review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of primary tooth morphology is essential for clinical dentistry, especially for root canal treatment and dental traumatology. However, this has not been well documented to date with a large sample. This study was carried out to investigate the variation in number and morphology of the root canals of the primary molars, to study the applicability of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) in assessing the same and to provide a comprehensive review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 343 primary molars, without any root resorption, were divided into four main groups including the maxillary first molars, maxillary second molars, mandibular first molars and mandibular second molars. All of them were analysed in CBCT images in the axial, sagittal and coronal planes. Various parameters such as the number of roots, number of canals, the root canal type, diameter of root and root canal and root canal curvature were studied. RESULTS: Primary molars in all four groups showed variability in the number of roots and root canals. As far as length of the roots was concerned, the palatal root of the maxillary molar was found to be longest, while the distobuccal root was shortest. In mandibular molars, the mesial root was longer than the distal root. The length of distobuccal root canal of the maxillary molars and the distolingual canal of the mandibular molars was found to be shortest. The number of roots and root canals varied from two to four and three to four, respectively. The maxillary molars exhibited more one-canal than two-canal roots. CONCLUSION: The present study provides comprehensive information to the existing literature concerning the variation in root canal morphology of the maxillary and mandibular primary molar teeth. These data may help clinicians in the root canal treatment of these teeth.

Unilateral bone cavities situated near the angle of the mandibula.

Stafne bone defects (SBDs) are asymptomatic radiolucent lingual/buccal bone lesions of the lower jaw and are frequently caused by soft tissue inclusion. These defects have a cystlike appearance on plain radiographs. The diagnosis of this defect is incidental because patients do not usually present clinical symptoms. The common variant of SBD exists at the third molar region of the mandible below the inferior alveolar canal. To date, only 1 case of multilocular SBD has been reported in the literature, including both clinical cases and archaeological specimens. The purpose of the current study was to describe a new case of multilocular appearance of SBD near the angle of the mandibula that was diagnosed with the aid of a three-dimensional cone beam computed tomographic scan.

Cone beam computed tomographic analysis of neurovascular anatomical variations other than the nasopalatine canal in the anterior maxilla in a pediatric population.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze and assess the presence of accessory foramina and canals other than the nasopalatine canal (NPC) in the anterior palate region in a pediatric population, through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, describing their location, direction, and diameter. STUDY DESIGN: Reformatted sagittal, coronal and axial slices of 368 individual CBCT images were analyzed. Any bone canal with a minimum diameter of 1.00 mm other than the nasopalatine canal was analyzed regarding size, location, and course, as well as patient gender and age. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (22.3 %); presented additional foramina in the anterior palate (AFP) and in total 131 additional foramina were registered. A higher frequency of accessory canals was observed in girls (29.5 %) than in boys (15.7 %) (p = 0.012). The average diameter of AFP was 1.2 mm. Their location was variable, with most of the cases occurring in the alveolar process near the incisors or canines. Gender and age did not significantly influence the diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the presence of bone channels within the anterior maxilla other than the NPC in a pediatric population. Over 22 % of the population studied had additional foramina other than the NPC in the anterior palate, between 1 and 1.7 mm wide, with variable locations.

Cone beam computed tomographic analysis of maxillary premolars and molars to detect the relationship between periapical and marginal bone loss and mucosal thickness of maxillary sinus.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the relationship between mucosal thickness (MT) of the maxillary sinus and periodontal bone loss (PBL) and periapical condition of related teeth. We also aimed to identify the association between root apices and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, CBCT images of 205 patients with 410 maxillary sinuses were examined, retrospectively. A total of 582 maxillary molars and 587 premolars were observed. The relationship of each root with maxillary sinus and apical lesions of these roots were classified, PBL was examined and the situations of adjacent teeth were estimated. The effect of these conditions on sinus mucosal thickness (MT) was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between MT of maxillary sinus and both PBL and age (r = 0.52, p=0.000 and r = 0.111, p= 0.002, respectively). The frequency of MT increased as the severity of apical lesion enlarged. A positive correlation was found between MT and degree of PBL and periapical lesions. To reveal the association between MT and pulpoperiapical condition bivariate correlation was done and a significant relationship between the pulpoperiapical condition and MT was found (r = 0.17, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that MT of the maxillary sinus was common among patients with PBL and MT was significantly associated with PBL and apical lesions. The relationship of maxillary sinus to adjacent teeth had also positive correlation with MT. CBCT imaging enabled better evaluation of maxillary sinus, posterior teeth and surrounding structures compared to other imaging tools.

Odontogenic tumors: a collaborative study of 218 cases diagnosed over 12 years and comprehensive review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency and distribution of odontogenic tumors (OTs) in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, and to compare the findings with those reported in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: The records of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pathology Departments at Erciyes University, with histologic diagnosis of odontogenic tumors (based on the World Health Organization classification, 2005), over a 12-year period, were analyzed. The relative frequency of different types of tumors was also analyzed and compared with the literature. RESULTS: OTs in the present study constituted 2.74% of all the 7,942 registered biopsies. A total of 218 cases of OTs were collected and reviewed. Of these, (94.04%) were benign and (5.96%) were malignant. The mandible was the most commonly affected anatomic location, with 170 cases (77.9%). Ameloblastoma with a predilection for the posterior mandible was the most frequent odontogenic tumor (30.28%), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumor (19.5%), odontoma (13.4%), and odontogenic myxoma (8.5%). CONCLUSIONS: OTs are rare neoplasms and appear to show geographic variations in the world. In Cappadocia, Turkey, they are more common in the mandible, with ameloblastoma followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumors with the incidences observed in the present study being similar to those of previous studies from Asia and Africa, and in contrast to those reported from American countries.

Three-dimensional evaluation of the pharyngeal airway volumes in patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate.

INTRODUCTION: Patients affected by cleft lip and palate often have complaints of snoring and respiratory difficulties during sleep. The purposes of this study were to evaluate nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes of patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate and to compare them with a well-matched control group without unilateral cleft lip and palate using cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 60 patients (26 girls, 34 boys) divided into 2 groups: unilateral cleft lip and palate (20 boys, 10 girls; 8 right sided, 22 left sided; mean age, 14.6 ± 3.2 years) and no cleft (control group; 14 boys, 16 girls; mean age, 14.8 ± 2.8 years). Nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes of the subjects in both groups were calculated 3 dimensionally with cone-beam computed tomography. Group differences in relation to cleft side, sex, and cleft presence were statistically tested at P <0.05. RESULTS: Patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate had similar airway volumes regardless of the side of the cleft. In addition, no statistically significant differences were found between the sexes in the 2 groups. Patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate had smaller nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and total airway volumes when compared with the control group. The difference for oropharyngeal airway volume (-4036.7 mm(3)) was statistically significant (P <0.05), whereas nasopharyngeal volume (-21.6 mm(3)) and total airway volume (-4057.3 mm(3)) differences were not significant (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients affected by unilateral cleft lip and palate had decreased volumes of oropharyngeal (P <0.05) and total (P >0.05) airways compared with the well-matched control group without unilateral cleft lip and palate.

Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of the shape, height, and location of the mandibular lingula.

OBJECTIVES: The precise anatomic location of the lingula is clinically significant because it is subject to injury during a variety of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. This is the first study to identify and classify the different morphological shapes of the mandibular lingula using cone-beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the shape, height, and location of the lingula in relation to surrounding structures using cone-beam computed tomographic images. The shape of the lingula was classified into triangular, truncated, nodular, and assimilated types. The location was determined by five distances from the lingular tip to: the anterior and the posterior borders of the mandibular ramus, the mandibular notch, the distal surface of the mandibular second molar, and the occlusal plane. RESULTS: Nodular shape of the lingula was most commonly found [51.2% (422)] followed by truncated [32% (264)]. The mean height of the lingula was 7.97 ± 1.84 mm. The mean distance of lingula from the anterior and posterior borders of mandibular ramus was 16.7 ± 2.7 and 13.0 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. The lingula was located at 15.3 ± 2.4 mm from the mandibular notch and 29.4 ± 3.9 mm from the distal side of alveolar socket of mandibular second molar tooth. CONCLUSION: The present study provides new information to the literature concerning the shape, height, and location of the lingula in the Turkish population. This finding may assist surgeons to localize the lingula and avoid intraoperative complications.

Cone-beam computed tomographic analysis of the morphological characterization of the nasopalatine canal in a pediatric population.

PURPOSE: Knowledge of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) is necessary for understanding the morphology and pathogenesis of lesions that occur in this region. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the dimensions and anatomic characteristics of the NPC in a pediatric population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). STUDY DESIGN: Reformatted sagittal, coronal, and axial slices of 368 individual CBCT images were analyzed with regard to dimensions and anatomic features of the NPC. RESULTS: Funnel shape of the NPC was most commonly found [26.9 % (99)], followed by banana shape [19.6 % (72)]. There was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.317) between girls and boys in terms of NPC shape. The mean width of incisive foramen was found to be 2.53 mm with a significant difference (0.002). The mean NPC length was found to be 10.83 mm and the mean canal length was found to be significantly longer in boys than girls (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The present study provides new information on the literature concerning the identification of the anatomical structure of NPC. This finding may assist clinicians in understanding the morphology and preventing possible complications in this region.

Evaluation of location and dimensions of mandibular lingual foramina using cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the regional frequency and anatomical properties of mandibular lingual foramina (MLF) and their bony canals with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted by selecting images of the mandible from CBCT examination of 500 patients. MLF were located according to tooth areas and were grouped into midline, paramedian, and posterior foramina. In addition, the frequency of bony canals originating from lingual foramina was calculated, and the course and anastomoses were examined. RESULTS: In total, 491 areas with lingual foramina were observed. The highest regional frequency was recognized in the midline area (95.2 %), followed by left first premolar (15.1 %) area. The frequency of foramina in the midline was different from the paramedian and posterior (p < 0.01) regions. 95.6 % of lingual vascular canals originating from midline lingual foramina had a perpendicular course into the symphysis, whereas 60.3 % of canals from paramedian foramina and 83.6 % of canals from lateral lingual foramina presented with an anteriorly directed course. CONCLUSIONS: CBCT examination easily demonstrates the presence of the lingual vascular canals. MLF are frequently present in a Turkish population; radiologists and oral surgeons should be aware of this anatomic feature and its possible implications.

Lateral lingual vascular canals of the mandible: a CBCT study of 500 cases.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of patients to assess the localization, diameter, and course of the lateral lingual vascular canal (LLVC). METHODS: CBCT (Morita, Accuitomo 170) images from 500 patients were used in the present study. The CBCT images were examined by two oral radiologists. The diameter, localization, and course of the LLVCs were assessed using axial, cross-sectional, and multiplanar reformatted images. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS(®) v. 15 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), and t tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 500 patients examined, 163 LLVCs were detected in 124 (24.8 %) cases. The mean diameter of LLVCs on the right side and left side was 0.65 ± 0.18 and 0.64 ± 0.17 mm, respectively. The majority of the LLVCs (n = 106, 83 %) were observed in the premolar region. There was a statistically significant difference between the occurrence of LLVCs in the premolar region and the other areas (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: All the LLVCs observed in this study had a connection with inferior alveolar canal structures. The detection of an LLVC on CBCT images should alert the radiologist and surgeons to the possible presence of collateral arterial and vascular structures.

A c.1244G>A (p.Arg415Gln) mutation in SH3BP2 gene causes cherubism in a Turkish family: report of a family with review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed at advancing the understanding of the pathogenesis of cherubism by presenting a case study based on history, physical examination, typical radiological features, molecular and histopathological laboratory tests and a review of the literature. STUDY DESIGN: This study began with a 7-year-old boy who was referred due to mandibular overgrowth. A panoramic radiograph revealed multilocular radiolucent lesions of the upper/lower jaws suggestive of cherubism. Overall, a total of four family members were tested for SH3BP2 mutations, namely two siblings and their parents. Both siblings had been clinically diagnosed with cherubism; however, the parents were clinically normal. Peripheral blood was collected from all participants and genomic DNA sequencing was carried out. RESULTS: A missense mutation was found in the two affected siblings and their asymptomatic mother. The mutation was a 1244 G>A transversion which resulted in an amino acid substitution from arginine to glutamine (p.Arg415Gln) in exon 9. CONCLUSIONS: The present study emphasized the importance of further clinical and molecular investigation even when only a single case of cherubism is identified within a family. Genotype-phenotype association studies in individuals with cherubism are necessary to provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms associated with this disease.

An evaluation of condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry in adolescents with unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbite using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

AIMS: The primary purpose was to evaluate condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry in adolescent patients displaying unilateral posterior (UCB) and bilateral posterior crossbite (BCB) malocclusions. A secondary aim was to compare the findings with a matched control group exhibiting normal occlusion (CG) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study groups consisted of (1) 30 patients (Mean age: 14.49 +/- 1.91 years) with a UCB, (2) 29 patients (Mean age: 14.57 +/- 1.84 years) with a BCB, and (3) 36 patients (Mean age: 14.24 +/- 2.42 years) as a matched control group (CG). Condylar, ramal, condylar-plus-ramal height and index measurements were performed using CBCT images following the method of Habets et al. A paired t-test was performed for side comparison in each group. Oneway ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to determine statistically-significant differences between the groups for asymmetry index measurements and Tukey's HSD test was employed for individual group differences. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in condylar height (CH), ramal height (RH), and condylar plus ramal height (CH + RH) measurements between the right and left sides of the UCB group and CG, except for the RH in the BCB group (p = 0.045). Tukey's HSD test showed that the ramal asymmetry index (RAI) and the condylar plus the ramal asymmetry index (CRAI) were statistically significantly different between the UCB and BCB groups (p = 0.035 and p = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the condylar asymmetry index (CAI) values were found to be high in the groups of UCB (13.84 +/- 11.33), BCB (9.38 +/- 8.56), and CG (10.58 +/- 9.48), the comparisons amongst the groups were not statistically significant. The asymmetry between the UCB and BCB groups was observed for RAI and CRAI values, rather than CAI values.

Effects of early bilateral mandibular first molar extraction on condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the mandibular vertical asymmetry in a group of adult patients who had early bilateral mandibular first molar extractions. METHODS: Mandibular asymmetry index measurements (condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal) were made on the panoramic radiographs of a study group including 30 subjects (mean age, 18.22 ± 1.30 years) and a control group of 25 subjects (mean age, 18.24 ± 1.17 years). Group I comprised the control group patients with no extractions and had excellent class I relationships, no missing teeth, and slight or moderate anterior crowding. Group II included patients with a bilateral mandibular first molar teeth extracted before the age of 12 years. Student's t test was used for the comparison of asymmetry index values between the groups. A paired t test was used to determine possible statistically significant differences between the sides for condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal height measurements. RESULTS: No group showed statistically significant side-specific differences for posterior vertical height measurements. Condylar asymmetry index (CAI), ramal asymmetry index, and condylar plus ramal asymmetry index measurements were not statistically different between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CAI values were significantly high when compared with the 3 % threshold value in the both groups, but comparisons between the groups were not statistically significant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article investigates the effects of early bilateral mandibular molar teeth extraction that has never been investigated in the literature. The present study showed that the lengths of the condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal height were less in the study group than in a well-matched control group of without extraction.

Dental computed tomographic imaging as age estimation: morphological analysis of the third molar of a group of Turkish population.

Computed tomography (CT) is capable of providing accurate and measurable 3-dimensional images of the third molar. The aims of this study were to analyze the development of the mandibular third molar and its relation to chronological age and to create new reference data for a group of Turkish participants aged 9 to 25 years on the basis of cone-beam CT images. All data were obtained from the patients' records including medical, social, and dental anamnesis and cone-beam CT images of 752 patients. Linear regression analysis was performed to obtain regression formulas for dental age calculation with chronological age and to determine the coefficient of determination (r) for each sex. Statistical analysis showed a strong correlation between age and third-molar development for the males (r2 = 0.80) and the females (r2 = 0.78). Computed tomographic images are clinically useful for accurate and reliable estimation of dental ages of children and youth.

Use of cone-beam computed tomography to evaluate root and canal morphology of mandibular first and second molars in Turkish individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the root and canal morphology of mandibular first and second molars in a Turkish population by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). STUDY DESIGN: CBCT images of mandibular first (n = 823) and second molar (n = 925) teeth from 605 Turkish patients were analyzed. The root canal configurations were classified according to the method of Vertucci. RESULTS: The majority of mandibular molars (95.8% of first molars, 85.4% of second molars) had two separate roots; however, three roots were identified in 2.06% of first molars and 3.45% of second molars. C-shaped canals occurred 0.85% of first molars and 4.1% of second molars. Three canals were found in 79.9% of first molars and 72.8% of second molars. Most distal roots had a simple type I configuration, whereas mesial roots had more complex canal systems, with more than one canal. The most common root morphology of first and second molars is the two rooted morphology with three canals. Both the mesial and distal roots showed wide variations in canal anatomy with type IV and type I canal configuration predominating in the mesial and distal roots, respectively. CONCLUSION: Vertucci type I and IV canal configurations were the most prevalent in the distal and mesial roots, respectively, of both the mandibular first and second permanent molar teeth.

Infrared thermographic comparison of temperature increases on the root surface during dowel space preparations using circular versus oval fiber dowel systems.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate temperature increases during dowel space preparations with oval and circular fiber dowel systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 42 single-rooted human mandibular premolars. Roots were scanned with cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT) to determine the ovoid root canal morphology. Root canals were treated with Ni-Ti rotary instruments and obturated. A second CBCT was taken to determine the thinnest dentin thickness of each root. Roots were randomly divided into two groups (n = 21) according to the fiber dowel system used: group 1, circular fiber dowel system (D.T. Light-Post); group 2, oval fiber dowel system (Ellipson Post). Dowel spaces were prepared using a circular fiber dowel drill and a diamond-coated ultrasonic tip with an oval section under water cooling until 9 mm dowel spaces were obtained. Temperature changes were recorded from the thinnest root surfaces using a FLIR E60 thermal imaging camera. RESULTS: Temperature increases were significantly greater with the circular fiber dowel system than with the oval fiber dowel system (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although both dowel systems generated high temperature increases on root surfaces, the relatively lower temperature increase associated with the use of oval fiber dowels in ovoid canals makes it preferable to the use of circular fiber dowels.

Detection of bifid mandibular condyle using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and characteristics of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) using computed tomography (CT) evaluation. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was carried out using the CT records of 550 patients referred to the Medical School of Erciyes University (Kayseri, Turkey) between 2007 and 2010. T-tests were used to compare frequency of BMC between the left and right sides and between female and male patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and a chi-squared test. RESULTS: Of the 550 Patients, 10 patients (1.82%) were found to have BMCs. Five patients were female (50%) and five were male (50%). Of these 10 patients, 7 (70%) had unilateral and 3 (30%) had bilateral BMCs. As a result, a total of 13 BMCs were found in 10 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between either the right- and left-sided BMCs or between female and male patients (p >.05). CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study investigating the prevalence and characteristics of BMC using computed tomography. Although BMC is an uncommon anomaly, it may be a more frequent condition in the Turkish population. Further studies and research on the orientation of duplicated condylar heads should be carried out.