Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament in panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography among patients referred for dental implant treatment planning.

BACKGROUND: Calcification of the stylohyoid ligament (SHL) is a common condition noted as an incidental finding in routine radiographic examination. Due to proximity with important neurovascular structures, elongation and calcification may sometimes lead to dysphagia and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of calcified SHL detected on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and panoramic radiographs (PR) in patients referred for dental implant therapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 30 patients referred for dental implants to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine was done. Patients were imaged using Hitachi CB MercuRay CBCT machine, and PRs were obtained using Planmeca panoramic machine. CBCT reconstructions and panoramic images were evaluated for the incidence and pattern of SHL calcification. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (63.3%) had calcified SHLs, 16 of whom were reported to have bilateral involvement. PR was unable to show complete calcification of the ligament in any of the cases, whereas CBCT showed evidence of complete calcification when present (14 cases). CONCLUSION: CBCT was more accurate in determining the pattern and extent of calcification of the SHL in patients undergoing implant treatment planning.

Assessment of oral malodor: a comparison of the organoleptic method with sulfide monitoring.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to measure the oral malodor of volunteers by means of a subjective organoleptic method and a sulfide monitor as well as to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Halimeter in the diagnosis of halitosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sulfide monitoring and organoleptic oral malodor assessment methods were performed on 77 volunteers (51 females, 26 males) selected from academic staff, students, clerks, and patients of the Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Dental School. The organoleptic method of assessment and sulphide monitoring were conducted by three calibrated judges. The Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis was used to calculate correlation coefficients between the sulfide monitor and organoleptic scores. RESULTS: The Kendall's correlation coefficient between sulfide monitoring and organoleptic scores was 0.493 (p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity were assessed to be 61.1% and 87.8% respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) were 81.5% and 72%, respectively. The intra-class correlation coefficient for the three episodes of monitoring was calculated as 97%. CONCLUSION: Use of a sulfide montoring device in conjunction with the organoleptic method is an effective strategy for diagnosing oral malodor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because of its small size and simplicity of handling the Halimeter sulfide monitor is convenient to use. This method of evaluation of patients for oral malodor is capable of differentiating normal patients (such as with Pseudohalitosis and halitophobia) from the others and for halitosis screening along with other techniques such as the organoleptic method. However, when used alone, it may lead to a misdiagnosis of some cases in terms of intensity.

Attitudes of Iranian dental students toward their future careers: an exploratory study.

Students' attitudes toward and reasons for choosing careers are of great interest for educational systems around the world. The aims of this study were to investigate Iranian dental students' motivations in choosing dentistry as a career and their attitudes toward their future profession. A cross-sectional study of a group of 219 out of 225 (response rate: 97 percent) final-year dental students in four accredited dental schools in Tehran was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 and the Mann-Whitney test. The most popular reasons for these students' choice of dentistry as a career were a general interest in medicine and desire to enter a prestigious profession with high social status. The majority of the students planned to enter private practice; fewer intended to pursue specialty education abroad. Most of the female students planned to work in a group practice environment such as a clinic rather than a solo practice. Single students showed greater enthusiasm than married ones for pursuing further studies abroad after graduation. Overall, these dental students appeared to have positive attitudes about the dental profession.