The Relationship of low-serum Vitamin D and Early Dental Implant Failure.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of serum vitamin D levels and its relationship to early dental implant failures. A total of 174 implants in 109 patients were placed and serum vitamin D levels of those patients were noted the day of implant placement. Implants were followed up until restoration, approximately 3-6 months later, and any implant failure was noted based on 50% or more bone loss or implant mobility. Eight individuals had an implant fail early and their vitamin D levels had a mean of 42.54 ng/ml compared to the successful patients' levels of 31.92 ng/ml. Although not statistically significant, there was no correlation with low serum vitamin D levels of patients and early implant failure. Keywords: dental implant, implant failure, vitamin D.

Unilateral Buccal Bifurcation Cyst: A Rare Cystic Lesion in Children and Adolescents.

A buccal bifurcation cyst (BBC) is a rarely occurring, distinct lesion that is limited exclusively to the buccal bifurcation area of mandibular first and second molars in children and adolescents. A definitive diagnosis is formulated based on specific clinical and radiographic features. Management of such cysts depends on the presence of symptoms and the size of the lesion. This case report details the common features of a BBC in a 13-year-old patient and outlines the surgical approach to managing the cystic entity. The importance of a comprehensive clinical examination and appropriate supplemental investigations is emphasized to facilitate accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosing Oral Granulomatous Lesions: A Case Report.

The diagnosis of oral granulomatous lesions raises many challenges for the clinician. This article, which includes a case report, describes a process to formulate differential diagnoses by identifying distinguishing characteristics of an entity and applying that information to attain understanding of the ongoing pathophysiological process. Relevant clinical, radiographic, and histologic findings of common disease entities that can mimic clinical and radiographic presentation of this case are discussed to aid dental clinicians in identifying and diagnosing similar lesions in their practice.

Frequency and types of incidental findings on limited field of view CBCT scans.

The objective of this retrospective study was to identify and categorize incidental findings (IFs) discovered on limited field of view (LFOV) cone beam computed tomographic (CBCT) scans of the maxillofacial region. The sequential LFOV CBCT radiology reports created by 2 board-certified radiologists from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. The CBCT scans were acquired for implant site evaluation. Incidental findings of pathologic or anatomical defects were categorized as endodontic, periodontal, sinus-related, nonodontogenic, or other concerns. Of 474 radiology reports that were evaluated, 244 (51.5%) recorded at least 1 detectable IF. Fifty-one of these 244 (10.8% of the total sample) recorded that multiple IFs were detected on a single CBCT scan. On 3 reports, 3 IFs were detected, while the remaining 48 reports showed 2 IFs. More than half of the 295 unique IFs were categorized as endodontic or sinus-related concerns. The majority (70.5%) of IFs were recommended for referral or additional treatment. The results indicate that the use of a CBCT system with an LFOV does not diminish the need to conduct a thorough evaluation of the images.

Mönckeberg Arteriosclerosis of the Facial Vasculature Presentation on CBCT: A Case Report.

Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis, also known as Mönckeberg sclerosis or Mönckeberg medial calcinosis, is a well-documented phenomenon in medicine due to its association with a number of serious systemic conditions and aging. This article presents a unique case of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis in the oral facial region demonstrated clearly on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The reporting of Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis in dental literature is uncommon even though the radiographic features of the head and neck on plain film and CBCT are unique to the condition. As dentistry and medicine strive to move toward an integrated one-health model, it will be important for dental practitioners to recognize this condition during dental radiographic evaluation. A practitioner's understanding of the potential medical implications and the need for appropriate referral to a medical colleague could be lifesaving for a dental patient.

CBCT in Advanced Dental Education: A Survey of U.S. Postdoctoral Periodontics Programs.

Historically, predoctoral and advanced dental education programs used two-dimensional panoramic and periapical radiographs for implant planning. Three-dimensional (3D) Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) imaging has improved visualization of anatomic structures that can positively influence implant planning and surgical implant placement. The aim of this study was to assess how U.S. postdoctoral periodontics programs have incorporated CBCT technology into their curricula. A ten-question survey was sent to all 57 U.S. postdoctoral periodontics programs in November-December 2018. Thirty-seven responses were received, for a 65% response rate. All participating programs reported providing residents access to CBCT machines, and most of their residents received some training in the acquisition and interpretation of CBCT images. Nearly all (95%) participating programs provided training to apply implant planning software. Among the participating programs, 14% reported using a surgical guide fabricated with a CBCT scan 76-100% of the time, and 60% reported obtaining a CBCT scan for implant cases 76-100% of the time. These results suggest that, while residents are receiving training in CBCT and implant planning, it is not used often. There may be merit in adopting the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology's recommendation to use 3D imaging for all implant planning, with CBCT as the imaging modality of choice.