[Cone-beam CT features of ameloblastomas].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the cone-beam CT (CBCT) imaging features of ameloblastomas for clinical preoperative diagnosis. METHODS: Thirty-seven cases with complete data proven by pathology were retrospectively studied for distinct CBCT features. RESULTS: Of the 37 cases, 31 were primary and 6 were recurrent. On CBCT images, the 37 cases were composed of 36 cases (97.3%) of intraosseous lesions (17 cases of multilocular lesions, 17 cases of unilocular lesions, and 2 cases of honeycomb lesion) and 1 case (2.7%) of extraosseous lesion (soft tissue lesion). Of the 17 multilocular cases, 15 (88.2%) showed tongue-shaped crests in lesions. Thirty-four cases (94.4%) showed apparent expansible change toward lip/buccal and (or) palatal/lingual sides ofjaw, with partialcortical erosion. CONCLUSION: CBCT imaging yields accurate three-dimensional images of lesion shape and structure. Therefore, CBCT can be usedfor the clinical diagnosis and surgical assessment of ameloblastoma.

[Evaluation of cone-beam CT in diagnosis of supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxilla].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of cone-beam CT (CBCT) in the diagnosis and orientation of supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxilla. METHODS: 195 supernumerary teeth in the anterior maxilla of 146 patients were included, which were examined by CBCT. The number, shape, size, 3-dimensional position, growth direction of the supernumeraries and their relationship with the neighboring teeth were analyzed. RESULTS: The 146 patients aged from 5 to 39, and males were affected more than females in a ratio of 2.95:1. 102 (69.9%) patients had single supernumerary teeth. Of the 195 supernumerary teeth, 126 (64.6%) were near the middle line, 131 (67.2%) were conical, 51 (26.2%) were curved root, 98 (50.3%) were inverted and had a length of (11.97 +/- 2.40) mm. The supernumerary teeth often caused complications. CONCLUSION: The position of the supernumerary teeth is varied in the maxilla, and often causes permanent dentition complications. CBCT imaging yields accurate 3-dimensional pictures of supernumerary teeth, local dental and bony structures, which is helpful for diagnosis and orientation of supernumerary teeth.