Fractal characteristics of the trabecular pattern of the mandible in patients with renal transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the mandibular trabecular bone structures by performing fractal dimension (FD) analysis in patients who underwent renal transplantation (RTx). METHODS: Our study is an observational study with 69 RTx patients and 35 control group patients. The mean FD values of the patient and control groups were calculated and compared. In addition, biochemical parathyroid hormone (PTH), serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and vitamin-D parameters and FD values of both groups were analyzed. RESULTS: FD values were significantly lower in the patient group than in the healthy group (p < .05). In the RTx group compared to the control group, ALP (90.71 ± 34.25-66.54 ± 16.8, respectively) (p < .001) and PTH (75.76 ± 38.01-38.17 ± 12.39, respectively) (p < .001) values were higher. There was a positive correlation between the FD values and ALP (rspearman  = .305, p = .011) and a negative correlation between FD values and vitamin-D (rspearman  = .287, p = .017) of patients with RTx. CONCLUSION: FD values were found to be lower in patients who underwent RTx compared to the control group. It should be considered that FD analysis can be a method that can be used to evaluate trabecular bone structure in patients undergoing RTx.

The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in chronic hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with chronic hemodialysis and evaluate the risk factors of developing TMD.Methods: One hundred forty-six subjects were included in the study. The examination for TMD was based on the standardized Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Axis I protocol was used to evaluate the prevalence of TMD sub-diagnoses.Results: The prevalence of TMD was 41.5% in hemodialysis patients and significantly higher than in the control group. The most common symptom was TMJ pain, and the most common TMD subtype was muscular type. Female patients had significantly higher TMD than males. C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, parathyroid hormone, and albumin were significantly associated with TMD.Conclusion: There was an elevated prevalence of TMD in hemodialysis patients.

Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of sphenoid sinus in different sagittal skeletal pattern.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore sphenoid sinus variations in individuals with various sagittal skeletal anomalies using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed sphenoid sinus pneumatization on CBCT images of 126 patients aged 18-86 years. The anteroposterior skeletal relationships of the maxilla and mandible were classified as skeletal class I, II or III using the A point-nasion-B point (ANB) angle measured in the sagittal plane. The extensions of the sphenoid sinus were evaluated on three planes including axial, sagittal and coronal sections. Results: The study population consisted of 84 females (66.7%) and 42 males (33.3%), including 52 (41.3%) class I, 38 (30.1%) class II, and 36 (28.6%) class III cases. The conchal type of sphenoid sinus was not encountered. Presellar sinuses were detected in only 3 (5.8%) class I cases. Incomplete sinuses were detected in 16 (30.8%) class I, 7 (18.4%) class II, and 15 (41.7%) class III cases. Complete sinuses were detected in 33 (63.4%) class I, 31 (81.6%) class II, and 21 (58.3%) class III cases. Lateral extensions were found in 103 (40.9%) of the 252 sinus walls: 33 (31.7%) in class I, 45 (59.2%) in class II, and 25 (34.7%) in class III sinuses. Conclusion: Regional sphenoid sinus anatomy can be carefully examined via CBCT. The sphenoid sinus pneumatization did not differ significantly in patients exhibiting different types of sagittal skeletal closure, with the exception of the lesser wing type.

Artificial intelligence system for automatic deciduous tooth detection and numbering in panoramic radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the use of a deep-learning approach for automated detection and numbering of deciduous teeth in children as depicted on panoramic radiographs. METHODS AND MATERIALS: An artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm (CranioCatch, Eskisehir-Turkey) using Faster R-CNN Inception v2 (COCO) models were developed to automatically detect and number deciduous teeth as seen on pediatric panoramic radiographs. The algorithm was trained and tested on a total of 421 panoramic images. System performance was assessed using a confusion matrix. RESULTS: The AI system was successful in detecting and numbering the deciduous teeth of children as depicted on panoramic radiographs. The sensitivity and precision rates were high. The estimated sensitivity, precision, and F1 score were 0.9804, 0.9571, and 0.9686, respectively. CONCLUSION: Deep-learning-based AI models are a promising tool for the automated charting of panoramic dental radiographs from children. In addition to serving as a time-saving measure and an aid to clinicians, AI plays a valuable role in forensic identification.

Evaluation of the snowing-like ultrasonographic features of intraosseous jaw pathologies.

Aim of the study: Ultrasonographic examination of intraosseous jaw pathologies may reveal interesting incidental, mobile hyperechoic particles ("snowflakes") in anechoic areas. Purpose of this study is to explain and discuss this snowing-like ultrasonographic feature of intraosseous jaw pathologies. Material and methods: This study included 113 patients admitted to our clinic for examination: 43 (38.05%) males and 70 (61.9%) females with a mean age of 34.9 ± 17.2 years (range: 6-72 years). A total of 120 intraosseous lesions were evaluated prior to surgery using ultrasonography; these included non-neoplastic, odontogenic, and non-odontogenic lesions. Results: In total, 5 (4.1%) of the 120 lesions exhibited snowing-like feature on ultrasonography, including 2 (1.6% of total) of 3 incisive canal cysts, 2 (1.6% of total) of 7 dentigerous cysts, and 1 (0.8% of total) of 19 odontogenic keratocysts. Conclusions: Snowflakes evident on ultrasonography of intraosseous jaw lesions may be specific to certain pathologies. Future studies correlating radiologic and pathologic features of intraosseous jaw lesions should focus on ultrasonographic snowing-like appearance in different types of lesions and explore why they occur.

Correction to: Cone beam computed tomography and ultrasonography imaging of benign intraosseous jaw lesion: a prospective radiopathological study.

In the original version of this article, '123 lytic intraosseous jaw lesions diagnosed in 112 patients' was incorrectly presented as '123 lytic intraosseous jaw lesions diagnosed in 121 patients' and 'an average age of 31.7 ± 15.4 (range, 6-72)' was incorrectly presented as 'average age of 15.4 ± 31.7 (range, 6-72)'.

Cone beam computed tomography and ultrasonography imaging of benign intraosseous jaw lesion: a prospective radiopathological study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed whether ultrasonography (US) can be used in combination with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to image intraosseous jaw lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using CBCT and US, we evaluated 123 lytic intraosseous jaw lesions diagnosed in 121 patients with guidance from the CBCT findings. The lesions were classified into two groups based on histopathological evaluation: (1) cysts and (2) tumors and tumor-like lesions. US and histopathological findings on the lesions of the two groups and their relationships with each other were also assessed. Results are reported as means ± standard errors, and p < 0.001 was accepted as indicating statistical significance. RESULT: In total, 123 lesions were evaluated; 74 (60.2%) were cysts and 49 (39.8%) were tumors or tumor-like lesions. The CBCT and US findings were compatible as far as dimensional measurements of the lesions in the three planes (p < 0.001). The US and histopathological findings on the content of the lesions correlated (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CBCT provides useful information for diagnosing intraosseous jaw lesions. Because it offers no valid Hounsfield unit (HU) value, it does not differentiate between solid and cystic masses. Thus, US can be used with CBCT to image intraosseous jaw lesions caused by buccal cortical thinning or perforation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: US provides useful information about intraosseous jaw lesions and can be used with CBCT to image such lesions caused by buccal cortical thinning or perforation. Clinicians can take this information into consideration when evaluating intraosseous jaw pathology.

Cone beam computed tomography imaging of ponticulus posticus: prevalence, characteristics, and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of ponticulus posticus (PP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to describe the radiologic characteristics of the detected cases. STUDY DESIGN: The presence and types of PP were investigated on 730 CBCT images. RESULTS: PP was found in 17.4% (127) of the 730 CBCT scans. Of these 127 patients, 79 (10.8%) had bilateral PP and 48 (6.6%) had unilateral PP. Male predominance was found with a prevalence of 19.5% (54 of 277) and female prevalence was 16.1% (73 of 453). The prevalence of PP increased with age; the highest prevalence of PP was seen in those who were 49 to 81 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that PP is not an uncommon anatomic variation and is a natural incidental finding on CBCT.

Is the assessment of dental age by the Nolla method valid for eastern Turkish children?

The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not the Nolla method is appropriate for Turkish children for the determination of the dental age (DA). A group of 719 children between the ages of 6 and 18 years were included in the study. DAs from orthopantograms by the Nolla method were estimated. The results obtained were compared with chronologic age (CA). Paired t and the Wilcoxon tests were performed. Both genders were underestimated in dental maturity when compared with the reference samples in total (-0.3 years) (p<0.01). The differences in girls were statistically significant in total and in all groups except for 7-7.9. The differences in boys between the CAs and DAs were not statistically significant in total and in all groups except for 7-7.9 and 8-8.9. Although the accuracy of this method was suitable for boys, according to our findings, it was not suitable for girls.

A retrospective analysis of sphenoid sinus hypoplasia and agenesis using dental volumetric CT in Turkish individuals.

PURPOSE: In adults, sphenoid sinus agenesis is an extremely rare anomaly. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sphenoid sinus hypoplasia and agenesis using dental volumetric computed tomography (DVCT) in a population of Turkish individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DVCT scans in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes of the sphenoid sinus of 384 patients were examined for evidence of sphenoid sinus agenesis and hypoplasia. RESULTS: In the DVCT scans, bilateral agenesis of sphenoid sinus was not seen. Unilateral agenesis of sphenoid sinus was seen in 0.26% of the sample, and sphenoid sinus hypoplasia was seen in 0.52%. Unilateral hypoplasia of the sphenoid sinus was observed in 0.26% of the sample, and bilateral hypoplasia of sphenoid sinus was observed in 0.26%. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found a low frequency of sphenoid sinus agenesis. Compared with sphenoid sinus agenesis, the frequency of sphenoid sinus hypoplasia was higher. DVCT may be used as a diagnostic tool to investigate the paranasal sinus.

The prevalence of root dilacerations in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of root dilaceration in a Turkish dental patient population, considering factors such as dental localization and the relationship between the sexes in this anomaly. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed using periapical radiography of 2,124 patients, who ranged in age from 15 to 65 years old. All data (age, sex and systemic disease or syndrome) were obtained from the patient files and analyzed for root dilaceration. Descriptive characteristics of sexes, jaws, and dental localization were recorded. The Pearson chi-squared test was used. RESULTS: Of the 2,251 patients, 214 (9.5%) were found to have root dilaceration. Root dilacerations were determined in 276 (4.3%) of 6386 teeth, belonging to a total of 2251 patients. Anomalies were found in 9.8% of males, compared with 9.3% of females, a difference that was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Root dilacerations were distributed fairly evenly between the maxilla and mandible. The most frequently root dilacerated teeth were found to be mandibular third molars (12.8%), followed by maxillary third molars (7.4%), and maxillary first molars (6.7%). Root dilaceration was not detected in maxillary central incisors, mandibular central incisors or mandibular lateral incisors. CONCLUSION: root dilaceration is an uncommon developmental anomaly which occurs mostly in the posterior teeth, which are not prone to suffer trauma. The radiographic diagnosis of this anomaly is important before surgery, and especially before endodontic treatment or orthodontic treatment.

Correlation between oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) and oral disorders in a Turkish patient population.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study is to determine the nature of the complaints that bring patients to our clinic and to what degree these complaints affect their quality of life (QoL). We also aimed to determine any associations between gender, education or harmful habits and each patient's oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL). METHODS: A total of 1090 patients, consisting of 651 females (59.7 %) and 439 males (40.3 %), were included in this study. Of these patients, 220 constituted healthy controls. Two patient-centered outcome measures, the 14 item OHIP-14 and the 16 item OHQoL-UK measures were used. RESULTS: Most of the patients presented with toothache and caries (50.1 %), 11.2 % had suffered tooth loss and had denture needs, 9.2 % had periodontal problems, 1.8 % had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, 3.8 % had buried third molars, 2.4 % had orthodontic and aesthetic disorders, 1.3 % had suffered injury due to trauma, and 20.2 % came only for control checkups. OHQoL was best in the control group and the worst in patients who had suffered trauma. In addition, we noted correlations between gender, education and harmful habits, and that of the patient's oral health-related quality of life. CONCLUSION: According to our results, OHQoL is associated with the oral complaints of patients. Furthermore, OHQoL may not only be associated with the oral health status of patients, but factors such as gender, education and harmful habits may also play a role.

Bilateral bifid mandibular canal: a case report.

The objective of this case report is to help clinicians identify bifid mandibular canals on panoramic radiographs and subsequently use the information in the modification of dental treatment planning. A 45-year old man was referred to the service of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology. Routine panoramic radiography, suggested the presence of bilateral bifid mandibular canals (BMC). Mandibular computed tomography revealed a clear view of bilateral mandibular canals. BMC can be detected on a panoramic radiograph.