Evaluation of the frequency of third molar agenesis according to different age groups.

PURPOSE: Third molars (M3s) are the most common congenitally missing teeth. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of M3 agenesis in two different age groups. METHODS: This study examined the panoramic radiographic images of 1036 patients. Two groups, each consisting of 518 patients, were arranged based on age ranges. The patients aged 12 to 19 years were in the first group and those 20 years and older were in the second group. The frequency of M3 agenesis was examined in both age groups. The distribution of M3 agenesis by sex and jaw was also recorded, along with the number of M3s affected by agenesis. Chi-square tests were used to examine the relationships between categorical variables. RESULTS: M3 agenesis was observed in 29.3% and 20.5% in the first and second groups, respectively; the difference was statistically significant (P < .01). It was more common in female (27.3%) than in male patients (21.4%), and in the maxilla (11.2%) than in the mandible (5.8%), and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). It was mostly observed forthemaxilla right M3 (18) (30.9%) and in the single quadrant of the jaws (9.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of M3 agenesis was more common in patients aged 12 to 19 years than in those aged 20 years and older. Additionally, M3 agenesis was more common in females and in the maxilla.

Evaluation of oral manifestations and head and neck lymphadenopathy in newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of head and neck lymphadenopathy (LAP) and intraoral findings (non-dental/dental) in patients with newly diagnosed acute leukemia (AL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight (52.8%) females and 25 (47.2%) males in a total of 53 patients with newly diagnosed AL with a mean age of 46 years were included in the study. Personal information, the type of AL (AML [acute myelogenous leukemia]/ALL [acute lymphocytic leukemia]), and hematological findings (anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) were obtained from medical records. One of two calibrated oral diagnosis and maxillofacial radiology specialists performed extraoral (head and neck LAPs) and intraoral (non-dental and dental) clinical examinations. The Chi-square (χ2 ) test was used to evaluate categorical variables. RESULTS: LAP was observed in 22.6% and intraoral findings in 30.2% of the patients. LAP was most commonly observed in the neck and none in the parotid glands. The most intraoral findings were gingival/mucosal bleeding and oral petechiae/ecchymosis. While there was no statistical difference between AML and ALL patients in terms of LAP (p > .05), intraoral findings were observed more in patients with AML (p < .05). Only two (3.8%) patients had dental findings. With a slight difference, intraoral findings were more with thrombocytopenia and LAP with neutropenia. CONCLUSION: In AL, especially non-dental intraoral findings are common. The fact that dentists working in the oral cavity are often the first specialists to encounter the oral manifestations of AL imposes an important role in early diagnosis and treatment.

Hypochlorous acid and white vinegar: Artifact-free COVID-19 disinfection options for photostimulable storage phosphor plates.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the artifacts on intraoral photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) plate images caused by 3 different disinfectants that are effective against pathogens including SARS-CoV-2. STUDY DESIGN: Nine new PSP plates, to be wiped with hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in group A, alcohol in group B, and white vinegar in group C, were distributed in 3 groups. Twelve images of each PSP plate with increasing numbers of wipes were examined for artifacts. The comparisons were evaluated by Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc tests. The reliability of the measurements was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen kappa statistic. RESULTS: Artifacts were observed only on group B images. In terms of artifact scores, the difference between group A and group C was not statistically significant (P > .05), whereas group B artifact scores were significantly higher than group A and group C (P < .05). Intraobserver reliability was perfect (ICC and kappa of 1.0) and interobserver reliability was considered excellent (ICC = 0.985) or almost perfect (kappa = 0.956). CONCLUSIONS: HOCl and white vinegar can be alternative disinfection options for PSP plates tested in this study. Unlike alcohol, they did not produce artifacts. Additional research evaluating their effects on image quality is needed to determine if they are appropriate for disinfection.

Dental Anomalies in Consanguineous Marriage: A Clinical-Radiological Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate nonsyndromic developmental dental anomalies (DDAs) in individuals born from consanguineous and nonconsanguineous marriages and the possible effects of these marriages on self-reported systemic diseases. METHODS: The study comprised a total of 880 patients aged 16 years or older who applied to our clinic for various dental problems. Based on detailed anamnesis, the patients were divided into 2 groups: individuals born from consanguineous (study group, n = 445) and nonconsanguineous (control group, n = 435) marriages. The parents' consanguinity type was also recorded, as well as the presence of any self-reported systemic diseases. The number, size, erupted, and morphological DDA types were investigated with both clinical and radiological examinations. All data from the 2 groups were recorded, and a statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between the consanguineous marriage and the size (microdontia), and morphological (dilaceration and taurodontism) DDA types. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between consanguineous marriage and self-reported systemic disease but not between the parents' consanguinity type and systemic disease. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that consanguineous marriage affects DDAs.

Effect of enveloping and disinfection methods on artefact formation on enveloped PSP plate images.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the artefacts caused by different disinfection and protection methods that can be used for infection control of photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates. METHODS: The plates that were enveloped with single or double envelopes were sprayed with an alcohol-containing solution or wiped with an alcohol-containing tissue. Four PSP groups with two plates in each group were formed (A = wiping single envelope, B = wiping double envelopes, C = spraying onto single envelope, and D = spraying onto double envelopes). Any artefacts (1 = no artefact, 2 = presence of artefact less than 0.5 cm wide, and 3 = presence of artefact larger than 0.5 cm wide) on the 12 acquired images were evaluated. RESULTS: Artefacts (score-3) occurred on the images of Group C-2 PSP plate after the 3rd exposure. According to the Kruskal-Wallis test the difference between the artefact score of the four methods was found significant. Post-hoc comparisons showed the Group C artefact scores were higher than the others and the difference was significant. The total time of enveloping and disinfection processes for groups was; A = 6.30 min, B = 7.58 min, C = 5.48 min, and D = 7.14 min. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the number of envelopes, wiping with a tissue was less likely to cause artefacts, while spraying was reliable only when double envelopes were used. However, using a tissue and double envelopes, which are less risky in terms of artefact, causes time loss, difficulty in manipulation, environmental pollution and high cost.

Evaluation of the compatibility of C2, C3, and C4 fractal dimension values with hand-wrist and cervical vertebra maturation methods in determining skeletal maturation.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the correlation between the fractal dimension (FD) values of cervical vertebrae (C2, C3, and C4) and hand-wrist maturation (HWM) and cervical vertebra maturation (CVM) methods. In addition, the correlation between the pubertal growth spurt (PGS) and FD values was examined. METHODS: The lateral cephalometric and hand-wrist radiographs of 120 subjects (61 females and 59 males) aged 8-18 years with a mean age of 13 years, were evaluated retrospectively. The CVM stages were determined in accordance with Hassel-Farman's modification of Lamparski criteria. The HWM stages were determined in accordance with Björk and Grave-Brown criteria. Both HWM and CVM stages were divided into two according to PGS. Fractal analysis of cervical vertebrae was performed according to the White-Rudolph method. The relationships between HWM stages, CVM stages and other variables were evaluated by Spearman's rank-order correlation coefficient. The relationships between FD values, chronological age, and divided stages were evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the FD values of two divided stages. RESULTS: There were positive and statistically significant positive correlations between chronological age and both HWM and CVM stages. There was a positive and statistically significant correlation between CVM and HWM stages. In females and total, there were negative and statistically significant correlations between C4 FD values and divided HWM stages, and the differences between C4 FD values of divided HWM stages were also statistically significant. In total, there was a negative and statistically significant correlation between C4 FD values and divided CVM stages, and the difference between C4 FD values of divided CVM stages was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The negative correlations found between C4 FD values and divided HWM and CVM stages suggest the fractal analysis of cervical vertebrae, especially of C4, may be used as an objective tool for evaluating the PGS.

Idiopathic coronal resorption in impacted permanent teeth and its relationship with age: radiologic study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between idiopathic coronal resorption and age in adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3405 digital panoramic radiographs present in the archive of the radiology department belonging to 1584 males and 1821 females aged 25 and over were assessed by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. The patients' age, gender, number of impacted teeth, number and position of teeth with idiopathic coronal resorption and the extent of coronal resorption were recorded on standard forms. RESULTS: A thousand and nine impacted teeth were observed in 622 patients (304 males and 318 females) with a mean age of 36,92 (±10,85). Idiopathic coronal resorption was present in 26 of the 622 patients with a frequency of 4.2%. One patient had two teeth with idiopathic coronal resorption; resulting in as 27 teeth and a frequency of 2.7% according to tooth number. There were 13 (50%) females and 13 (50%) males having idiopathic coronal resorption. There was no significant difference between genders. The presence of idiopathic coronal resorption increased with advanced age (v: 0,193, p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the extent of the coronal resorption and age. CONCLUSION: The presence of idiopathic coronal resorption increases with advancing age. Idiopathic coronal resorption is detected incidentally during radiographic examination. Thus, dentists should consider this situation and should perform periodically radiographic examination of impacted teeth.

Knowledge, behavior, and awareness of neonatologists and anesthesiologists about oral complications of intubation and protection methods.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess awareness of anesthesiologists and neonatologists about oral complications occurring during and after the orotracheal intubation (OTI) in premature infants and their knowledge and behavior regarding protection methods from these complications in clinical practice. METHODS: This study included 94 neonatologists and 137 anesthesiologist. The final version of the questionnaire included 15 items in three main parts: (i) personal information; (ii) awareness about oral complications occurring during and after the OTI in premature infants; (iii) knowledge and behavior regarding protection methods from these complications in clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 95.7% of neonatologists and 83.2% of anesthesiologists were aware of oral complications related to OTI. The most common complications the anesthesiologists encountered were oral, laryngeal, or pharyngeal region injuries (60.7%) and palatal groove (52.2%) for the neonatologists. The most preferred method for stabilization of the orotracheal intubation tube (OTT) was bonding to the perioral region with an adhesive tape (98.3%). The primary determining factor in the choice of OTT stabilization method was the ease of use (28.2%). A total of 23.8% of the participants were aware of the palatal stabilization device (PSD), whereas only 1.3% used it in their routine and 57.1% of them believed it can prevent complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that neonatologists were more aware of the OTI-related oral complications than anesthesiologists. The knowledge of the participants regarding prevention of these complications is insufficient. Study participants believe in the efficacy of PSD but do not use it in clinical practice for a number of reasons.

Unusual radiographic images of radiopaque contrast media incidentally observed in intracranial region: two case reports.

The oil-based contrast medium has extremely slow clearance rate from cerebrospinal fluid. The medium known as myodil or pantopaque or iopenydylate was firstly introduced in 1944 to be used in myelography, cisternography and ventriculography. It was commonly used until 1980s but was later replaced by water-soluble mediums in 1990s because of its complication and sequelae. Although rare, images of the remnants may still be encountered on radiograms since its remnants may be seen after six decades. In this article, incidental radiopaque images in panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were presented in two patients whose myelography was taken before herniated discs' operation. Unusual incidental radiopacities in intracranial region were observed on panoramic radiography image of a male and CBCT image of a female, both of whom underwent myelography more than 30 years ago. Dentomaxillofacial radiologists should be aware of this radiographic appearance, should be able to differentiate it from possible pathologies.