Prevalence of soft tissue calcifications in panoramic radiographs of the maxillofacial region of older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region on panoramic radiographs of older adults. METHODS: We analysed 1176 panoramic radiographs obtained between January 2013 and December 2018 from individuals of both sexes aged 60 years or older, who were referred by dental specialities to the Dental Imaginology Service of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The types of soft tissue calcification evaluated were as follows: carotid artery calcification (CAC), thyroid cartilage calcifications, triticeous cartilage calcifications, sialoliths, tonsilloliths and lymph node calcifications. The presence of soft tissue calcifications was correlated with age and sex. The chi-square test with continuity correction was used for the calculation of p values and the evaluation of the proposed associations. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were also calculated. RESULTS: At least one type of soft tissue calcification was found in 43% of the sample. The main calcifications detected were CAC, thyroid and triticeous cartilage calcifications, tonsilloliths, sialoliths, calcified lymph nodes, and phleboliths. Mean patient age was 67.47 years and there was a predominance of females (62.8%) in the sample. Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between female sex and the presence of thyroid and triticeous cartilage calcifications and between male sex and the presence of tonsilloliths. CONCLUSION: Routine panoramic radiography permits the identification of soft tissue calcifications that may be indicators of future cardiovascular disorders, the referral to a medical service and the establishment of therapies for stroke prevention.

Presence and associated factors of carotid artery calcification detected by digital panoramic radiography in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and associated factors of carotid artery calcification (CAC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 309 panoramic radiographs of patients with CKD (180 men and 129 women; mean age 43.7 years) undergoing hemodialysis were evaluated by a single radiologist to determine the frequency of CAC. An analysis of associated factors, such as age, sex, time spent in hemodialysis, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, biochemical parameters, and other systemic diseases, was also performed. RESULTS: The presence of CAC in patients with CKD, as determined on the basis of panoramic radiography, was 15.9%. The χ2 test revealed that there was a statistically significant association between certain factors, such as age, sex, and diabetes mellitus, and the presence of CAC (P < .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that time spent in hemodialysis was significantly associated with the occurrence of CAC. CONCLUSIONS: A significant presence of CAC was detected on digital panoramic radiographs in patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis. Calcification was more frequent in older patients, women, individuals with diabetes mellitus, and patients who had undergone hemodialysis for longer periods.

Cervical posture analysis in dental students and its correlation with temporomandibular disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and craniocervical posture in the sagittal plane measured from lateral radiographs of the head. METHODS: The sample was comprised of 80 randomly selected students of dentistry at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte. Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) was used to evaluate the signs and symptoms of TMD. Lateral radiographs of each individual were used to measure the position of the hyoid bone, the craniocervical angle, and the occiput-atlas distance. A chi-square test was used to evaluate the relationships between craniocervical posture measures and TMD. RESULTS: No relationship was found between TMD and the craniocervical posture measured by the positioning of the hyoid bone, head rotation, and the extension/flexion of the head (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded, therefore, that no relationship exists between cervical posture in the sagittal plane and TMD.