History of imaging in orthodontics from Broadbent to cone-beam computed tomography.

The history of imaging and orthodontics is a story of technology informing biology. Advances in imaging changed our thinking as our understanding of craniofacial growth and the impact of orthodontic treatment deepened. This article traces the history of imaging in orthodontics from the invention of the cephalometer by B. Holly Broadbent in 1930 to the introduction of low-cost, low-radiation-dose cone-beam computed tomography imaging in 2015.

First dental radiograph (1896).

The discovery of x rays is described and the first dental radiograph.

The Colyer Collection of First World War dental radiographs and casts at the Hunterian Museum.

The Colyer Collection of First World War dental radiographs and casts is a unique teaching resource with a fascinating history. The story of the radiographs illuminates the role of dental surgery and Sir J. Frank Colyer (1866-1954) in the treatment of maxillofacial injuries during this period.

Clark's rule vis à vis the buccal object rule: its evolution & application in endodontics.

Originally, Clark's rule was used to identify the position of unerupted or supernumerary teeth (a concept known as oral localization) prior to orthodontic tooth movement or surgical removal. However, the versatility of this rule's principles and concepts are also highly applicable to endodontic diagnosis and treatment. While contemporarily known by many different names, such as the "buccal object rule" and the "cone beam-shift technique," the importance of this rule in endodontics was not recognized in the literature until late in the 20th century, despite historical evidence demonstrating its incorporation into root canal procedures almost 100 years ago.

Mosquitoes, flies and dental cavities: Dr. Howard Riley Raper's public campaign to prevent toothache.

Dr. Howard Riley Raper (1886-1978) was an early oral health pioneer and dental roentgenology faculty member of the Indiana Dental College (IDC) who single-handedly introduced key concepts in radiology to dentistry. Due to his efforts, IDC became in 1910-11 the first dental school to have a regular course in dental radiology. Virtually all American dental schools soon added this subject to their regular curriculum. Raper's text, Elementary and Dental Radiography (1913) became the first comprehensive student textbook of dental X-ray diagnosis. In his 1933 Blue Book entitled, The New Aim in the Care of the Teeth, Raper elaborated upon his mission to prevent caries, by comparing the insidious damages of tooth decay with the threat of insect-borne disease.

Stereoradiography and related early radiographic localization techniques.

Enhancing interpretation, 3-D dental radiographic imaging and has become widely accepted and utilized in general dental practice. Stereoradiography is one of the earliest 3-D techniques and remains useful today for localized objects radiographically. This paper reviews the development of early radiographic localization techniques and follows stereoradiography to its current uses.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

In the last several decades, the need for 3D images in dentistry have developed. Computerized tomography was first introduced mainly with the advent of implantology, but its use remained limited to a small number of specialists, due to its indications, access and dose radiation. In the late 90's, a new technology using a cone-shaped beam and a reciprocating detector, which rotates around the patient 360 degrees and acquires projected data in a single rotation, namely the cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT), invaded dentistry, making the perception of 3D easily acceptable to dentists and their patients.

Jaw tracking devices--historical review of methods development. Part I.

Chewing or mastication is one of the main functions of the stomatognathic system. The use of devices for quantitatively measuring mandibular motion has recently become more common in scientific and clinical use. Often, the goal has been to provide an objective basis for diagnosing musculoskeletal disorders of the jaws, to monitor the progress of active treatment methods or to evaluate prosthodontic treatment functional results. To better understand differences between various systems to record mandibular motion a review of recording methods presented over the years was made. To give fundamental description for development of existing methods review was divided in three parts. Part I includes analyses of methods using mechanical devices, photographic methods and roentgenographic methods, describing not only technologies by themselves, but also analyzing essential limitations, possible direction of the functional improvement and, specially, their scientific and clinical significance.

Radiology: closing a century, opening a millennium.

As we close the file on the first century of radiology, we honor the pioneers and reflect on the progress they started. We also open a new file, not just a new century, but a new millennium of opportunity. The dramatic technologic advances in diagnostic imaging within recent decades have provided the foundation for expanding our activities in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. We are no longer just dental radiology; we can no longer rest on the teaching and practice of conventional dental radiography. We can summarize in one word the direction our efforts must take in opening the millennium: research. Only with research at the fundamental as well as clinical level we can continue to expand our service to the public, to our patients, and to our colleagues.

Early pioneers of oral and maxillofacial radiology.

Because this year (1995) is the 100th anniversary of the discovery of radiography, it is appropriate that we again describe the events surrounding one of the most exciting times in our early dental x-ray history--the discovery of radiography by Roentgen and the application of radiography to the diagnosis and treatment of dental disease. Biographic sketches of some of the more prominent early pioneers in oral and maxillofacial radiology are presented, such as those of Walkhoff, Morton, Kells, Rollins, and Raper, along with a discussion of their contributions to the field.

History of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology.

In celebrating the centennial of the discovery of the x-ray it is fitting to relate the history of organized Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology has evolved through four name changes and now has expanded its scope to include all modalities of diagnostic imaging.

Making darkness visible: the discovery of X-ray and its introduction to dentistry.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen's discovery of the X-ray one century ago has been ranked in importance with the discovery and development of anesthesia and the discovery of microorganisms and their role in disease. Roentgen's scientific devotion and the persistence of C. Edmund Kells, who took Roentgen's discovery and applied it to dentistry, had a great impact on how dentists practice today.

Endodontics 1776-1976: a bicentennial history against the background of general dentistry.

During 200 years of progress in endodontics, various sciences have contributed to our understanding of the physiology and pathology of the dental pulp. Early treatment included cauterization of the pulp, the use of poultices or leeches, and tooth transplantation or replantation. Various methods of pulp devitalization are reviewed. Near the turn of the century, the discovery of X rays made diagnosis more accurate and the discovery of local anesthetics eliminated pain during endodontic treatment. Although the focal infection theory slowed the acceptance of endodontic treatment in this century, the biomechanical concept of treatment and research have recently opened new avenues for treatment and have initiated improvements in medicaments and filling materials.

Early periodical literature of dental radiology.

Examination of the early literature of dental radiology reveals that dental scientists of the time were eager to experiment with the new technology but were unaware of the dangers associated with radiation.

A brief history of dental radiography.

The courage and determination of the early pioneers who persevered with experimentation with vacuum tubes over 100 years ago, led to the discovery of new rays by Wilhelm Konrad Röntgen; this was one of the greatest achievements in the field of medical science. Radiography's early pioneers suffered the cumulative effects of repeated radiation exposure that irreparably damaged tissues. Primitive x-ray equipment, photographic film, and techniques have improved immeasurably. Today, film monitoring ensures that radiation levels received by those involved with radiation are kept well within maximum permissible dose levels. Fast film, collimation, filtration, standardisation of x-ray film processing, and quality assurance programmes all contribute to the optimum radiograph while keeping radiation to a minimum.

The history of dental radiology.

Several events leading to discovery of the X-ray beam by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in November 1895 are traced. Some early dental radiologic advances are discussed.

[100 years of x-rays: increase in image quality of intra-oral radiographs, decrease in patient exposure]. / 100 jaar röntgenstraling: kwaliteit intra-orale röntgenopnamen toegenomen, stralenbelasting afgenomen.

Comparing a present-day bitewing radiograph with one of the first dental radiographs made immediately after the discovery of the X-rays, we can see how enormously the image quality of dental radiographs has improved. Besides the improved image quality, patient exposure has decreased considerably during the past 100 years. Improvement of image quality and reduction of patient exposure have been brought about by changes of X-ray equipment and radiographic films. These changes, which have led to a better image quality and a decrease of patient exposure during the past 100 years, are discussed in this article.