Influence of different viewing conditions on the detection of fractured endodontic instruments using periapical radiographs at 3 projection angles.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the influence of ambient lighting levels and horizontal viewing angle (HVA) on the radiographic detection of fractured endodontic instruments in root canals in extracted human mandibular molars. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-two root canals were selected. Endodontic instrument fracture was induced in 24 canals, and all canals were endodontially treated. Periapical radiographs were obtained at orthoradial, mesioradial, and distoradial projection angles. Five oral radiologists examined the radiographs for detection of fractured endodontic instruments under 3 ambient lighting levels (high, 450 lux; medium, 28 lux; and low, 2.5 lux) and 3 HVAs (90°, 67.5°, and 45°). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were calculated and compared by 2-way analysis of variance using Tukey post hoc tests (α = .05). RESULTS: AUROC data indicated that ambient lighting (P = .739) and HVA (P = .238) did not significantly influence the detection of fractured endodontic instruments. Overall mean diagnostic values were 0.745, 0.57, 0.46, and 0.90 for AUROC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The viewing conditions assessed in this study did not influence the radiographic detection of fractured endodontic instruments in root canals.

Effect of image acquisition parameters on the radiopacity of bulk-fill and nanocomposite resins.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the radiopacity of 2 bulk-fill resins (SonicFill and Filtek Bulk Fill) and a nanocomposite (Filtek Z350 XT) resin compared with enamel, dentin, and aluminum as measured with different exposure parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Resin disks were radiographed together with a 1-mm human tooth section and an aluminum stepwedge, at exposure times of 0.2 and 0.32 s, and source-image (S-I) distances of 30 and 40 cm, using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and photostimulable phosphor systems. Grayscale values were measured using ImageJ software. Paired Student t tests were used to compare the effect of the receptor on grayscale values for each material. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate the effects of receptor, exposure parameters, and the resins on radiopacity. RESULTS: All resins exhibited greater radiopacity scores than enamel and were significantly different from each other. Filtek Z350 produced the lowest radiopacity values, whereas SonicFill produced the highest. The radiopacity values were higher on images acquired with CMOS receptors. Receptor type, exposure time, S-I distance, and material, as well as many interactions of these parameters, affected the radiopacity of the resins. CONCLUSION: The tested resins complied with ISO 4049. Exposure parameters and digital receptors affected their radiopacity.

The assessment of adherence to infection control in oral radiology using newly developed and validated questionnaire (QICOR).

OBJECTIVES:: To assess the infection control in oral radiology among radiologists and dentists of diverse dentistry clinical specialties and among dentistry students. METHODS:: A Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was applied to 1006 dentists and 1203 dentistry students. For assessment of infection control, the scores of the questionnaire were dichotomized in high and low through the median. Simple logistic regression models were set for adherence to infection control and independent variables, estimating the crude odds ratios with the respective 95% confidence intervals. The variables with p < 0.20 in the individual analyses were tested in multiple logistic regression models, remaining in the final model the variables with p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS:: Individual and adjusted association analysis showed that female dentists have 1.41 ([95% CI: 1.08-1.84)] more adherence odds to infection control when compared with males (p < 0.05). There was no significant association in regarding age, time of education in dentistry, an undergraduate degree from a public or private school, and work in public and/or private clinics. There were also no differences among radiologists and dentists of other clinical specialties. The students from the last year of the dental schools had 1.7 [95% CI (1.13-2.57)] more chances of less adherence to infection control (p = 0.0001). There was no significant association with respect to sex, age and public or private schools. CONCLUSIONS:: Educational procedures should be conducted in relation to infection control protocols in oral radiology, especially among male dentists, regardless clinic specialty, and among the students of the last year of the dental school.