Evaluation of mental foramen location in the 10-70 years age range using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Mental foramen (MF) locations were determined according to gender and age in terms of the vertical distance from the surrounding anatomical structures and the vertical and horizontal size of the MF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-seven male and 103 female patients in the age group between 10 and 70 years were included in our retrospective study and were examined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The right and the left MF locations were determined from panoramic and cross-sectional images. On the cross-sectional CBCT images, the distance of the MF upper limit from the alveolar crest edge, the distance of the MF lower limit from the lower edge of the mandible, and vertical size of the MF were measured. RESULTS: MF location differed in males and females (P < 0.001); it was generally located at the first and second premolar in females, and at the level of the second premolar in males. However, the MF location was not different on the right and left sides (P = 0.436). The distance of the MF from the surrounding anatomic structures were found to be lower in females than in males in all measurements (P < 0.001). The horizontal size of the MF was found to be less on the left side (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowing both the position and the distance of the MF from the surrounding anatomical structures is not only useful information for surgery, but will also help avoid complications such as paresthesia.

Evaluation of the Radiopacities of Bulk-fill Restoratives Using Two Digital Radiography Systems.

This study investigated the radiopacity values of bulk-fill restoratives by using two digital radiography systems. Nine bulk-fill restoratives and a conventional composite were used in the study. Six disc-shaped specimens were prepared from each of these materials, three each at thicknesses of 1 mm and 2 mm, and tooth slices with these same thicknesses were obtained. As a control, an aluminum step wedge varying in thickness from 0.5 to 10 mm in was used. Three specimens of each of the materials, together with the tooth slice and the aluminum step wedge, were placed over a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a storage photostimulable phosphor (PPS) plate system and exposed using a dental x-ray unit. The images were analyzed using a software program to measure the mean gray values (MGVs). Five measurements were obtained from each of the restorative materials, the enamel, the dentin, and the stepwedge. The MGVs were converted to the equivalent aluminum thicknesses. Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significance of the differences among the groups. A Tukey test was applied for pairwise comparisons (p<0.05). All composite-based restoratives were found to have greater radiopacities than enamel or dentin. Equia Fil had the lowest radiopacity value. Radiopacity increased as the thicknesses of the restorative material increased. The CMOS system showed significantly higher radiopacity values than the PSP system. In conclusion, all investigated bulk-fill restoratives passed the International Organization for Standardization and American National Standard Institute/American Dental Association requirements for radiopacity values when evaluated with the two digital radiography systems.