Photobiomodulation Therapy After Mesiodens Surgery: Evaluation of Immunological Markers and Three-Dimensional X-Ray Analysis-Placebo-Controlled Study.

Objective: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) applies therapeutic lasers or light-emitting diodes radiation to the surface of the body. From the medical point of view, PBMT systems have been employed for reducing pain, inflammation, and edema, promoting healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves, preventing tissue damage, etc. Background data: PBMT or biostimulation has a wide range of applications in maxillofacial surgery. It is known that the therapy effect using three-dimensional (3D) image was not really clear during the healing process. Materials and methods: The treatment group comprised 38 patients, 18 of them were treated with laser radiation (diode laser 808 nm) and 20 patients presented the control group. The surgery plan was monitored using cone beam computed tomography, in particular the number, shape, and size of mesiodens were registered. The effectivity of laser therapy was assessed based on immunological tests-secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and lysozyme levels measured in nonstimulated saliva before and after treatment. Results: For sIgA (both in millimeters and milligrams per liter), the measurements displayed differences between pre- and postsurgery values, the postsurgery values being significantly lower than the presurgery values. In addition, interaction with the laser treatment plan was found, meaning that the laser treatment affected the sIgA levels. The decrease in sIgA levels in the control group was statistically significant. However, there was no significant change in sIgA levels in the laser group. The lysozyme trends appeared to be identical to the sIgA levels, that is, rising in the laser group and decreasing in the control group. The initial values for each group, however, go in the opposite direction. Conclusions: The study has shown that the 3D techniques and technologies in combination with therapeutic laser systems could support not only a treatment plan, but they also directly influence the process of healing and reduce inflammation. The study was carried out under clinical project No. 00064203 (FN MOTOL).

Comparison of 2D OPG image versus orthopantomogram from 3D CBCT from the forensic point of view.

Forensic dental identification has employed traditionally 2D digital radiological imaging techniques. More recently, 3D cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) data, widely applied in clinical dentistry, have been gradually used. The purpose of this study was to compare the precision and quality of 2D digital orthopantomogram (OPG) and 2D OPG images generated from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). The study sample consisted of 50 patients with archived conventional 2D OPG and 3D CBCT images. Patients signed an informed consent form to take part in our study. Measurements of the mandible, teeth and dental restorations were taken by two observers on calibrated 2D OPG and 3D CBCT-to-OPG images using measurement functionalities of DOPLHIN software. Acquired dimensions were compared side by side and images of fillings were superimposed. For better visual comparison and more efficient image registration, the methods of spline interpolation were used. The pairs of absolute measurements obtained from conventional OPG and CBCT-to-OPG-converted images were highly correlated (p < 0.05). However, larger, and horizontally measured distances were revealed to be more affected than shorter vertically taken measurements. In relative terms, CBCT-generated width/length indices of the canines and the first molars ranged from 84% to 99.8% of those acquired from traditional OPGs. In addition, corresponding points on the teeth and fillings were compared side by side and in superimposition. The average coincidence of images was 6.1%. The results revealed that for selected metric variables 2D OPGs and 3D CBCT-generated OPGs were complementary and could be used for forensic comparisons.