Effect of autoclave sterilisation and heat activated sodium hypochlorite irrigation on the performance of nickel-titanium rotary files against cyclic fatigue

The present study aims to assess the impact of heat-activated sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and/or autoclave sterilisation on the cyclic fatigue resistance (CFR) of heat-treated nickel-titanium rotary files used in root canal treatment. The CFR of One Curve (OC) files was evaluated under the following conditions: as received (Group 1; control), immersion in NaOCl at 23 ± 1ºC (Group 2), immersion in NaOCl at 60 ± 1ºC (Group 3), autoclave sterilisation at 135 1ºC (Group 4), combined treatment of autoclave sterilisation and immersion in NaOCl at 23 ± 1ºC (Group 5), and combined treatment of autoclave sterilisation and immersion in NaOCl at 60 ± 1ºC (Group 6). A simulated root canal in a zirconia block was utilised to test the performance of the files. All the types of treatments resulted in significant reductions in fracture resistance of the OC files. Immersion of the files in NaOCl at 23ºC revealed the smallest reduction, while combined treatment of autoclaving and immersion in NaOCl at 60ºC caused the greatest reduction. Autoclave sterilisation or exposure of OC files to 2.5% NaOCl adversely affect the cyclic fatigue life and increasing solution temperature or combined treatment caused additionally significant reduction in CFR

Assessment of intraoral image artifacts related to photostimulable phosphor plates in a dentomaxillofacial radiology department

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence, frequency, and causes of artifacts in intraoral images obtained using photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plates.Materials and Methods: A total of 11,443 intraoral images, including 4291 periapical and 7152 bitewing images, acquired over a 6‑month period as well as over a month 1‑year after the initial imaging were evaluated by a single observer and image artifacts only related to the PSP system were recorded. Before the study, an experienced dentomaxillofacial radiologist and a research assistant assessed a set of image artifacts and agreed on the causes of these artifacts. All unidentified artifacts were reassessed by both researchers before the final decision. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 11.5.Results: The total number of images with one or more artifacts was 2344 (20.4%). Of these, 2008 were of adult patients and 336 were of pediatric patients. While movement of the phosphor plate in the disposable pocket was the most common cause of the observed image artifacts in the children, non‑uniform image brightness was the most frequently observed artifact in the case of the adults.Conclusion: The percentage of images with artifacts in the 6th month was lower than that during the 1st month. More significantly, the lowest percentage was obtained 1‑year after the initial imaging, owing to the increase in familiarity with the system. Understanding the reasons for the image artifacts and studying ways of preventing are of high clinical importance.Key words: Image artifact, intraoral digital imaging, photostimulable phospho

The reliability of Cameriere's method in Turkish children: A preliminary report.

Dental age estimation in children is an important issue both legally and medically. Currently, however, there is a lack of contemporary dental age estimation standards for a Turkish population. This study assessed the accuracy of Cameriere's method by examining the panoramic radiographs of 573 healthy Turkish children between the ages of 8 and 15 years. Radiographs of the left permanent developing mandibular teeth, except wisdom teeth, were evaluated. All subjects were divided into 7 groups according to their chronological age. The Intra-class Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the intra- and inter-observer agreement error. A comparison of the distributions of estimation errors among age groups was performed using the Nemenyi test. There were no significant differences between inter-observer (p = 0.352), and intra-observer readings after 2 weeks (p = 0.275 and p = 0.273, respectively). The dental age was underestimated when using Cameriere's method with a mean difference of −0.35 years (−0.24 years for girls and −0.47 years for boys). The median values of the differences between dental and chronological age were −0.44 years in boys (range: −3.70, 4.06) and −0.21 years in girls (range: −2.74, 3.29). In addition, the differences between dental and chronological ages in the different age groups decreased with increasing chronological age. Results from the Nemenyi test implied that Cameriere's method is more accurate for girls than for boys in this cohort of a Turkish population

Age of majority assessment in Dutch individuals based on Cameriere's third molar maturity index

Radiological examination of the third molar is done in living individuals for estimation of chronological age, especially in the late adolescence. The aim of this study was to assess the application of Cameriere's third molar maturity index (I3M) to determine whether an individual is 18 years or older (adult) or younger than 18 years (minor) in a sample of Dutch individuals. The sample consisted of panoramic images of 360 individuals aged between 14 and 22 years old. Three observers performed the measurements. Gender was not statistically significant in discriminating adults and minors. The highest value of the Youden index of the receiver operating curve analysis was for the value of I3M < 0.08 in discriminating individuals as minor or adult. The specificity (Sp) and sensitivity (Se) results for females were 96.3% and 72.7% respectively. The Sp and Se for males were 95.0% and 84.0% respectively. The probabilities of correctly classified individuals were 83.3% and 88.9%, and Bayes post-test probability was 96.3% and 95.7% in females and males respectively. Obtained results showed that the specific cut-off point of I3M < 0.08 may be a useful and reliable method for adult age assessment in a Dutch population