Association of root morphology of mandibular second molars on panoramic-like and axial views of cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the anatomy and morphology of the root canal system is essential for successful surgical and non-surgical root canal treatments. However, precise assessment of the root morphology and anatomy is not often possible on two-dimensional radiographs. This study aimed to investigate the association of root morphology of mandibular second molars on panoramic-like and axial views of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 1,231 CBCT scans of mandibular second molars obtained between October 2018 and February 2022 that were retrieved from the archives of a private radiology clinic. Panoramic-like images were reconstructed from the CBCT scans. The root morphology of mandibular second molars was classified on panoramic-like images as type 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. The root pattern on axial CBCT images was classified into three types of single, double and C-shaped. The association of root morphology on panoramic-like and axial CBCT views was analyzed by the Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test at 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: Of all, 62.7% of mandibular second molars were type 1; out of which, 97.3% had a double-root pattern on axial CBCT images. Also, 28.6% of them were type 2; of which, 92.6% had a double-root pattern. Moreover, 3.9% were type 3; of which, 47.9% had a C-shaped pattern; 0.9% were type 4, and 45.5% of them showed a single-root pattern; 3.8% were type 5 with 76.6% of them showing a single-root pattern. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was higher in females, and most C-shaped canals had a C3 pattern. CONCLUSION: Root morphology on panoramic-like CBCT views had a strong association with the root canal pattern on axial CBCT views. According to the results, mandibular second molars with a type 3 morphology on panoramic-like CBCT images are highly probable to have a C-shaped canal.

Prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking and their predictors among Iranian adolescents.

INTRODUCTION: Widespread tobacco use, along with its induced diseases and subsequent deaths, comprise one of the biggest threats to public health in the world. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking and their predictors among Iranian adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1524 adolescent students aged 14-18 years (764 boys and 760 girls) were randomly selected. The participants attended governmental, semi-governmental, and non-governmental schools in the city of Sanandaj, Iran in 2013. Data were collected using the "Sherer General Self-efficacy" and demographic questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic binary regresion analysis was conducted to determine the predictors. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of cigarette and water pipe smoking were 9.5% and 10.4%, respectively. About 3.7% of the adolescents used both cigarette and water pipe and 16% used at least one of these. Compared with girls, prevalence of both cigarette (13.1% vs. 6.4%) and water pipe (13.7% vs. 7.1%) smoking was higher among the boys. Male sex, father's education of secondary school, and use of water pipe were identified as cigarette smoking risk factors, while technical and commercial educational fields and attending non-governmental school were its protective factors. Risk factors of the use of water pipe were currently working, higher age and cigarette smoking, father's education of high school, father's occupation of employee and mother's education of a diploma degree, while higher self-efficacy and attending non-governmental school were its protective factors. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking in adolescents continues to rise. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further studies on effective factors on the onset and continuation of tobacco use.

Health-promoting lifestyle and its predictors among Iranian adolescent girls, 2013.

INTRODUCTION: Health-promoting behaviors have considerable effects on improving life quality and decreasing healthcare expenses. This study aimed to determine the status of health-promoting behaviors and its subscales, as well as its relationship with self-efficacy and some socio-demographic characteristics in adolescent Iranian girls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants in this study were 750 adolescent girls aged 14-18 years, living in the city of Sanandaj, Iran in 2013. Samples were selected randomly. Questionnaires used in the study were the "Adolescent Healthy Lifestyle" and "Sherer General Self-efficacy" questionnaires. Multivariate linear regresion analysis was used to determine predictors of health-promoting lifestyle. RESULTS: Mean total score of health-promoting lifestyles in adolescent girls was 3.51 (SD 0.55) and its observed scores ranged from 1 to 5. The highest and lowest mean scores were obtained for life appreciation and physical activity subscales, respectively. Self-efficacy had significant positive correlation with the total health-promoting lifestyle scores and all its subscales. The variables of self-efficacy, current disease, mother's education, mother's occupation, and sufficiency of income for expenses remained in the multivariate linear regresion model and were able to explain 21% of the observed variance of the total score for health-promoting lifestyle. CONCLUSION: The findings show that adolescents "sometimes" or "often" show health-promoting behaviors. In addition to self-efficacy as the main predictor, some of the socio-demographic characteristics are also among the predictors of health behaviors. With consideration of adolescence years as a foundation for one's future life, it is necessary to provide strategies to encourage a health-promoting lifestyle in adolescents.