Evaluation of root resorption in maxillary anterior teeth during orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance based on panoramic radiographs.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of apical root resorption in the anterior teeth of the maxilla visible on panoramic images during orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance. Material and methods: A total of 194 panoramic radiographs of patients with a fixed appliance in the upper arch were analysed to evaluate the severity of root resorption in maxillary incisors and canines according to Levander and Malmgren classification. The research group included 135 females and 59 males, aged 15-28 years, with a mean 20.6 years. Results: Of examined patients 75.26% had signs of apical root resorption. The tooth most frequently affected by resorptive changes was the right central upper incisor. The gender and age of the patients were not found to be significant factors. The highest number of teeth had second (II) stage root resorption (53.09%). Conclusions: Panoramic radiographs can be useful in diagnosing external apical root resorption due to orthodontic treatment.

Correlations between periodontal disease, mandibular inferior cortex index and the osteoporotic fracture probability assessed by means of the fracture risk assessment body mass index tool.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to examine correlations between radiological signs of chronic periodontitis, Mandibular Inferior Cortex (MIC) index and osteoporotic fracture probability based on the FRAX BMI tool. METHODS: The material comprised 422 panoramic radiographs taken in patients aged 40-89, 270 females and 152 males. The severity of chronic periodontitis and resorption of mandibular inferior cortex based on MIC index were assessed. A diagnostic survey was conducted to estimate 10-year major and hip osteoporotic fracture probability (MOFP, HOFP) by means of the FRAX BMI tool - an algorithm that allows to calculate osteoporotic fracture probability based on assessing bone fracture risk factors knowing only BMI value. RESULTS: The conducted analysis based on U Mann-Whitney test revealed that mean 10-year MOFP was significantly higher (p = 0.00) in women than in men. Mean 10-year MOFP in females was 4.8% (SD = 3.95%) and in males 3.21% (SD = 2.35%). Mean 10-year HOFP in women was 1.35% (SD = 2.07%) and was significantly higher (p = 0.03) than in men - 0.79% (SD = 1.18%).MOFP is significantly higher in patients with moderate and severe periodontitis than in those with mild periodontitis. Significant difference between MIC values and MOFP (p = 0.00) and HOFP (p = 0.00) was found. Osteoporotic fracture probability was significantly higher in patients with MIC stages C2 and C3 than C1. CONCLUSIONS: The FRAX BMI tool with radiological evaluation of periodontal disease severity and MIC index may be used in dental practice in determining individual risk of osteoporotic fracture in females and provide new opportunities of selecting those potentially more prone to such fractures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The approval of the local bioethics committee was obtained (KE-0254/107/2017).

Cone-beam computed tomography for assessment of dens invaginatus in the Polish population.

OBJECTIVES: There are many developmental variations in the permanent dentition. Dens invaginatus can be recognized on many dental X-rays of affected patients, but not every image allows for assessment of the type of malformation. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of dens invaginatus with radiological features using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: CBCT images of 33 patients were evaluated. Age, sex, side, lateralization, occurrence in a particular group of teeth, type of invagination, differentiation, and the consequences of these factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-one teeth with dens invaginatus met the inclusion criteria for this evaluation. Females were affected more frequently than males (57.6 vs. 42.4%, respectively). The patients' age ranged from 7 to 40 years, and the occurrence of dens invaginatus peaked from age 9 to 13 years. In total, 92.7% of affected teeth were present in the maxilla, more often unilaterally (75.8%) than bilaterally (24.2%). The most frequent tooth with dens invaginatus was the maxillary lateral incisor (53.7% of affected teeth). Almost two-thirds (63.4%) of affected teeth were found on the left side and 36.6% were found on the right. The tooth anatomy was distorted within the crown and root. Dens invaginatus sometimes affected other surrounding teeth and reduced their esthetics. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained data indicate that CBCT examination is an essential tool in assessing dens invaginatus and can guide dental practitioners in treating patients who exhibit characteristic features of this disorder. CBCT allows the clinician to distinguish the type of anomaly.

Prevalence of two-rooted and one-rooted mandibular canines with two root canals in Poland, assessed using CBCT: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The normal anatomy of mandibular canines presents with 1 root and 1 root canal. Two roots are found in approx. 2% of cases, and a bilateral configuration is even rarer. Canines with 2 root canals are found in around 15% of cases. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) enables the detailed visualization of the teeth. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of two-rooted mandibular canines and one-rooted mandibular canines with 2 root canals in a Polish population by using CBCT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 300 consecutive CBCT scans, taken for different clinical indications, were examined to assess permanent mandibular canine anatomy. The study group included 182 females and 118 males aged 12-86 years (mean age: 31.7 years). RESULTS: Among 600 cases, 27 two-rooted teeth were found (4.5%), and there were only 6 cases of onerooted mandibular canines with 2 root canals (1.0%). Six cases of two-rooted canines had this configuration bilaterally, all in females. Five cases of canines with 2 root canals were found on the left side (83.3%). The predominance of the occurrence of two-rooted canines in females (81.5%) was strongly emphasized. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of two-rooted mandibular canines in a Polish population, evaluated by means of CBCT, was higher, while the presence of 2 root canals was lower than in recent literature reports. There was no side predilection of two-rooted mandibular canines, although their occurrence was higher in females.

Retromolar canal: Frequency in a Polish population based on CBCT and clinical implications - a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: A retromolar canal (RMC) is an anatomical variation of the mandibular canal located in the retromandibular area. Retromolar canals and their contents may be of great clinical importance for clinicians dealing with the discussed region. The analysis of the available literature indicates that RMC is not a rare phenomenon. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to present the prevalence of RMC and its dependence on patient gender, as well as the location of RMC (unilateral or bilateral), by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred CBCT examinations taken from the database of the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics of the Medical University of Lublin, Poland, were analyzed by 2 independent observers (a fifth-year dentistry student and a dentist with 9 years of experience in the field of dental and maxillofacial radiodiagnostics). The research sample included 134 women and 66 men. RESULTS: After comparing the results obtained by the 2 independent observers, the more experienced researcher excluded 9 cases from the study; RMC was ultimately found in 21/200 subjects (10.5%). The unilateral variant was observed in all 21 cases - 13/21 (61.9%) on the right side and 8/21 (38.1%) on the left side. Seven (5.2%) RMCs were found among the 134 women, while among the 66 men there were14 (21.2%) RMCs found. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the conducted research, RMCs were found in 10.5% of cases. They were more common in men than in women. Cone-beam computed tomography is an examination that allows the determination of the position and course of RMC more precisely than panoramic X-rays.

CBCT for estimation of the cemento-enamel junction and crestal bone of anterior teeth.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the assessment of the relationship between the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and bone crest of the anterior mandibular cortex. The study population comprised 39 males and 61 females, aged 18-71. A GENDEX GXCB-500 machine, i-CAT Vision and CorelDraw 9 software were used. The distances between the CEJ and bone crest at buccal and lingual sides of six anterior mandibular teeth were measured. Descriptive statistical methods, Student's t-test and ANOVA were used. The mean distance between the bone crest and CEJ was 2.32 mm ± 0.78 mm at the buccal and 2.52 mm ± 0.85 mm at the lingual side. It was found that in males aged over 50 years, the mean distance at the buccal side was 2.84 mm ± 0.79 mm and was significantly higher than in males aged 49 and less - 2.08 mm ± 0.41 mm. The mean distance at the lingual side was 3.28 mm ± 1.08 mm and was significantly lower in the age group of 49 years and less - 2.10 mm ± 0.41 mm. CBCT allows determining the distance between the CEJ and crestal bone margin at buccal and lingual sides. The data provide crucial information for planning orthodontic treatment, implant placement and periodontal therapy.