Is Panoramic Imaging Equivalent to Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Classifying Impacted Lower Third Molars?

PURPOSE: Preoperative recognition of the relative position of the mandibular third molars may contribute to more reliable treatment planning, avoiding injuries and decreasing surgical and recovery times. The research questions for this study were as follows: 1) Is panoramic radiography (PR) equivalent to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in determining the degree of mandibular third molar impaction? 2) For PR, is the external oblique ridge a more reliable reference to determine the degree of mandibular third molar impaction? MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case-series study assessed whether the imaging modalities (primary predictor variable) are equivalent in determining the degree of impaction of third molars (primary outcome variable) according to the parameters of the Pell and Gregory classification. Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists evaluated PR and CBCT images presenting at least 1 mandibular third molar. The degrees of impaction related to the ascending ramus and related to the external oblique ridge (secondary outcome variables) also were assessed. The agreement rates between PR and CBCT were presented, and the imaging modalities were compared by the McNemar-Bowker test (α = .05). RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were included (66 male and 107 female patients). Among these patients, 313 mandibular third molars were assessed. In relation to the occlusal plane, the agreement rate between PR and CBCT was 82.1% for Pell and Gregory class A, 90.5% for class B, and 65.6% for class C (P = .116). The overall agreement rate between the classifications in relation to the mandibular ramus on PR and CBCT ranged from 66.8% (considering the ascending ramus, P < .001) to 76.4% (considering the external oblique ridge, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: PR performs similarly to CBCT in the classification of impaction in relation to the occlusal plane. However, PR shows a tendency to underestimate the space for accommodation of the third molar compared with CBCT. Furthermore, the external oblique ridge is not a reliable alternative landmark on PR.

Correlation between midline deviation and condylar position in patients with Class II malocclusion: A cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Midline deviation of the mandible and maxilla can affect craniofacial growth and occlusion and cause consequences to the temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lateral displacement of the skeletal and dental midlines in relation to the condyle head position in Class II patients with cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: We used 82 cone-beam computed tomography images. The lateral displacement of the skeletal and dental midlines considering the 3-dimensional reference plane was analyzed with points in the maxillary and mandibular central incisors, anterior nasal spine, and menton. The condyle-fossa relationship, concentric position of the condyles, and dimensional and positional symmetries between the right and left condyles were evaluated. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference regarding anterior nasal spine with maxillary central incisor, menton, and mandibular central incisor points for both sides, and also for maxillary central incisor-menton for the displacement of the left side. We found differences in the temporomandibular joint for inclination and diameter measurements of the condylar process. Strong correlations were observed between the maxilla and the condylar process diameter (right side) and the distance between the geometric centers (left side), in addition to a strong correlation between the sagittal midline displacement and the geometric center differences on the right and left sides. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Class II malocclusion, lateral displacement of skeletal and dental midlines in relation to the condyle head position has a significant correlation with the anteroposterior difference between the geometric center of the right and left condylar processes.

Comparison of different methods to assess alveolar cleft defects in cone beam CT images.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of three different methods for assessing the volume of cleft defects in CBCT images. The influence of field of view (FOV) and voxel sizes was also assessed. METHODS: Using three radio-opaque plastic skulls, unilateral defects were created to mimic alveolar clefts and were filled with wax following the contralateral side contours. They were scanned in a CBCT unit using four different acquisition protocols, varying FOV and voxel sizes. Using three different methods, the defect/wax volume was evaluated on the images by defining: (1) the width, height and facial-palatal length of the defect in maximum intensity projection; (2) the areas of the defect on axial slices; and (3) the threshold and segmentation of the region of interest. The values obtained from each method using different acquisition protocols were compared with the real volume of the wax (gold standard) using ANOVA and Tukey's test. RESULTS: Methods 2 and 3 did not differ from the gold standard (p > 0.05). Conversely, Method 1 presented statistically significant overestimated values (p < 0.01). No differences were found among the different FOV and voxel sizes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CBCT volumes proved reliable for the volumetric assessment of alveolar cleft defects, when using Methods 2 and 3 regardless of FOV and voxel sizes. It may be possible to improve surgical planning and outcomes by knowing the exact volume of grafting material needed prior to the surgical intervention.

Canino mandibular con dos raíces / Mandibular canine with two roots

El canino inferior es un diente con raíz larga y ancha que le permite una adecuada implantación en el arco dentario. Es considerado un pilar valioso en muchos tratamientos rehabilitadores. Con la finalidad de mantener este elemento dentario es necesario realizar un correcto diagnóstico, para lo que se tendrá en cuenta el conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas. El objetivo del artículo es presentar un caso de canino mandibular con dos raíces con sus respectivos canales radiculares .Paciente femenina de 21 años, que acudió a la Clínica de Radiología de la Facultad de Odontología de Piracicaba con indicación de una radiografía panorámica para valorar cirugía de terceros molares. Llamó la atención una configuración inusual de las raíces de los caninos mandibulares. En el examen de tomografía computarizada de haz cónico se observó que el canino mandibular del lado derecho presentaba dos raíces separadas, cada una con sus respectivos canales radiculares. Se concluyó que a pesar de la baja prevalencia de las variaciones anatómicas, estas pueden ocurrir en el número de raíces y canales de los caninos mandibulares, tal como se presenta en este reporte de caso(AU)

The mandibular canine is a robust and long tooth which allows an adequate implantation in the dental arch. It is considered a valuable pillar in many rehabilitating treatments. In order to maintain this important dental element, it is necessary to make a correct diagnosis, for which the knowledge of the different anatomic variations should be kept in mind. The objective of this article is to present a case of a mandibular canine with two roots with their respective root canals. A 21-year-old female patient went to the Radiology Clinic at the Faculty of Odontology of Piracicaba with the indication of a panoramic radiography for preoperative third molars surgery. An unusual root configuration of the mandibular canines was observed. In the cone beam CT, it was observed that the right mandibular canine presented two separate roots, each one with their respective radicular canals. It was concluded that, despite of the low prevalence of anatomical variations, these can occur in the root system of the mandibular canines, as presented in this case report(AU)