Accuracy Of Imaging Software for 3d Rendering of Tooth Structures, Usable in Clinical Settings.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the segmentation accuracy of dentition testing four free-source semi-automatic software. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were selected to perform semi-automatic segmentation of maxillary and mandibular dentition. The software tested were Invesalius, ITK-Snap, 3D Slicer and Seg3D. Each tooth model was also manually segmented (Mimics software) and set as the gold standard (GS) reference of the investigation. A specific 3D imaging technology was used to perform the superimposition between the teeth models obtained with semi-automatic software and the GS model, and to perform the surface-to-surface matching analysis. The accuracy of semi-automatic segmentation was evaluated calculating the volumetric mean differences (mean bias and limits of agreement) and the percentage of matching of the tooth models compared to the manual segmentation (GS). Qualitative assessments were performed using color-coded maps. All data were statistically analysed to perform software comparisons. RESULT: Statistically significant differences were found in the volumetric and matching percentage data (p < 0,05). Invesalius was the most accurate software for 3D rendering of the dentition with a volumetric bias (Mimics) ranging from 4,59 mm3 to 85,79 mm3; instead, ITK-SNAP showed the higher volumetric bias, ranging from 30,22 mm3 to 319,83 mm3. The dis-matched area was mainly located at the radicular region of the teeth. Volumetric data showed excellent inter-software reliability with coefficient values ranging from 0,951 to 0,997. CONCLUSIO: Different semi-automatic software algorithms could generate different patterns of inaccuracy error in the segmentation of teeth.

MRONJ in breast cancer patients under bone modifying agents for cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL): a multi-hospital-based case series.

BACKGROUND: Cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) is the most common adverse event experienced by patients affected by breast cancer (BC) patients, without bone metastases. Bone modifying agents (BMAs) therapy is prescribed for the prevention of CTIBL, but it exposes patients to the risk of MRONJ. METHODS: This multicentre hospital-based retrospective study included consecutive non-metastatic BC patients affected by MRONJ related to exposure to low-dose BMAs for CTIBL prevention. Patients' data were retrospectively collected from the clinical charts of seven recruiting Italian centres. RESULTS: MRONJ lesions were found in fifteen females (mean age 67.5 years), mainly in the mandible (73.3%). The mean duration of BMAs therapy at MRONJ presentation was 34.9 months. The more frequent BMAs was denosumab (53.3%). Ten patients (66.7%) showed the following local risk factors associated to MRONJ development: periodontal disease (PD) in three cases (20%) and the remaining six (40%) have undergone PD-related tooth extractions. One patient presented an implant presence-triggered MRONJ (6.7%). In five patients (33.3%) no local risk factors were observed. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case series that investigated BC patients under BMAs for CTIBL prevention suffering from MRONJ. These patients seem to have similar probabilities of developing MRONJ as osteo-metabolic ones. Breast cancer patients under BMAs for CTIBL prevention need a regular prevention program for MRONJ, since they may develop bone metastases and be treated with higher doses of BMAs, potentially leading to a high-risk of MRONJ.

3D Imaging Advancements and New Technologies in Clinical and Scientific Dental and Orthodontic Fields.

The recent technological updates in medical field are irrevocably changing the clinical work-flow of dentists, from the diagnosis to the treatment plan approaches and decision-making activities [...].

Evaluation of mandibular changes after rapid maxillary expansion: a CBCT study in youngsters with unilateral posterior crossbite using a surface-to-surface matching technique.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate mandibular asymmetry in youngsters with posterior unilateral crossbite (PUXB), through cone-beam computed tomography and reverse engineering technique, before and after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained from all patients at two time points, namely T0 acquired before the placement of a Hyrax expander and T1 after appliance removal. The CBCT scans were segmented and volume rendered into a surface there-dimensional (3D) mesh model. Thereafter, mandibular models were digitally registered by using a "best-fit" algorithm. Surface and volumetric changes, between T0 and T1, were compared by using Student's t tests. RESULTS: A slight increase of 0.45 cm3 of the total mandibular volume was found at T1 when compared with T0 (p < 0.001). The mandibular hemi-volume on the crossbite side (CB) was slightly smaller than the non-crossbite side both at T0 and T1. However, the mean differences of hemi-volume from the CB (crossbite) and non-CB side between T0 and T1 show a decrease of 0.26 cm3 (p < 0.001). Findings for the surface-to-surface deviation analysis demonstrated a fine percentage of matching at T0 which slightly improved at T1 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Youngsters affected by PUXB showed a very slight and not statistically significant volumetric and morphological asymmetry between CB side and non-CB side at T0. However, the change in mean differences of 0.26 cm cannot be considered clinically relevant. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mandibles in young PUXB patients exhibit only a very mild mandibular asymmetry. Although the statistically significant mean change found right after RME removal cannot be considered clinically relevant, a more consistent sample and a longer follow-up could be of interest in explaining the short-term findings.

Recently highlighted nutraceuticals for preventive management of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease of articular cartilage with limited treatment options. This reality encourages clinicians to suggest preventive measures to delay and contain the outbreak of the pathological conditions. Articular cartilage and synovium suffering from OA are characterised by an inflammatory state and by significant oxidative stress, responsible for pain, swelling and loss of mobility in the advanced stages. This review will focus on the ability of olive oil to exert positive effects on the entire joint to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine release and increase lubricin synthesis, olive leaf extract, since it maintains lubrication by stimulating high molecular weight hyaluronan synthesis in synovial cells, curcumin, which delays the start of pathological cartilage breakdown, sanguinarine, which downregulates catabolic proteases, vitamin D for its capacity to influence the oxidative and pro-inflammatory environment, and carnosic acid as an inducer of heme oxygenase-1, which helps preserve cartilage degeneration. These molecules, considered as natural dietary supplements, appear like a cutting-edge answer to this tough health problem, playing a major role in controlling homeostatic balance loss and slowing down the pathology progression. Natural or food-derived molecules that are able to exert potential therapeutic effects are known as "nutraceutical", resulting from the combination of the words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical". These compounds have gained popularity due to their easy availability, which represents a huge advantage for food and pharmaceutical industries. In addition, the chronic nature of OA implies the use of pharmacological compounds with proven long-term safety, especially because current treatments like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics improve pain relief but have no effect on degenerative progression and can also cause serious side effects.

Phenotype heterogeneity in dental pulp stem niches.

Dental stem niches (DSNs) reside in different dental tissues, being of particular importance in tissue engineering and dental regeneration procedures. The present paper aims to review the DSNs from the view of niche inhabitants, either extrinsic, such as cells of the myeloid lineage, or intrinsic, such as endothelial cells, perivascular cells and spindle-shaped stromal cells, e.g., telocytes. DSNs harbor different dental stem÷progenitor cell morphologies, in different stages of differentiation and with various potentialities, the angiogenic potential with respect to regenerative endodontic procedures being emphasized here. It seems therefore important to consider the DSNs as being heterogeneous, for a better understanding of an accurate identification of niche team players in regenerative medicine.

Accuracy of cephalometric landmarks on monitor-displayed radiographs with and without image emboss enhancement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of some commonly used cephalometric landmarks of monitor-displayed images with and without image emboss enhancement. The following null hypothesis was tested: there is no improvement in landmark detection accuracy between monitor-displayed images, with and without image embossing enhancement. Forty lateral cephalometric radiographs, taken from the data files of subjects were used in this study. A purpose-made software allowed recording of the cephalometric points and then, with the help of algorithms based on cellular neural networks, to transfer the previously processed radiographs into an embossed image. Five observers recorded 22 landmarks on the displayed images from the two image modalities, i.e. monitor-displayed radiograph (mode A) and monitor-displayed embossed radiograph (mode B). The positions of the landmarks were recorded and saved in the format of x and y co-ordinates and as Euclidean distance. The mean errors and standard deviation of landmarks location according to the two modalities were compared with the 'best estimate' for each landmark and the values were calculated for each of the 22 landmarks. One-way analysis of variance was then used to evaluate any statistically significant differences. Euclidean distance mean errors were higher for the embossed images (except for Po) than for the unfiltered radiographs. These differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.05) except for Or, Po, PM, Co, APOcc, and PPOcc. On the x and y co-ordinates, the accuracy of the cephalometric landmark detection improved on the embossed radiograph but only for a few points (Or on x axis and Po, PM, Co, and APOcc on y axis), as these were not statistically significant. The use of radiographic enhancement techniques, such as embossing, does not improve the level of accuracy for cephalometric points detection. Unless more precise algorithms are designed, this feature should not be used for clinical or research purposes.