How the Prevalence of Pulp Stone in a Population Predicts the Risk for Kidney Stone

Introduction: Conflicting researches exist on relationship between pulp stones and systemic disorders. Nephrolithiasis is a common disease with severe pain and discomfort with increasing prevalence worldwide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the correlation between pulp and kidney stones to help find a method for early detection of kidney stones. Methods and Materials: the sample of this case-control study comprised of 154 subjects (77 patients with and 77 patients without kidney stone approved by sonographic examination). Two oral and maxillofacial radiologists evaluated their panoramic images for the presence of pulpal stones. Results: A total of 42.9% of subjects showed pulp stones. Most of the teeth with pulp stone in case and control groups were molars (86.30% and 72.97%, respectively). In the group with kidney stones, pulp stones were detected in 38 patients (49.4%), while in the control group, they were detected in 28 subjects (36.4%). Although there was not a significant relationship between the presence/absence of pulp stone and kidney stone (P=0.143), there was statistically significant association between number of teeth with pulp stone in a patient and the presence of kidney stone (P<0.013). The chance of having kidney stone is 5.78 times higher in the subjects having pulp stone in three teeth or more (≥ 3 teeth). Conclusion: Although there is not a correlation between the presence of pulp and kidney stone, the chance of having kidney stone is 5.78 times higher in the subjects with ≥ 3 teeth having pulp stone. Thus, the number of teeth with pulp stone can serve as a predictor for possibility of having kidney stone.Keywords: Dental Pulp Stone; Kidney Stone; Nephrolithiasis; Pulp Calcification; Radiograph

Accuracy of linear vertical measurements in posterior mandible on panoramic view

Background: One of the most frequent concerns encountered in dental implant treatments is inadequate pre-operative planning. Panoramic radiographs are readily accessible and cost efficient. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of vertical measurements in mandibular molar and premolar region on panoramic radiography. Materials and Methods : Panoramic radiographs were made of a partially edentulous sheep mandible mounted in acryl. Measurements collected from the computer-generated images were compared to measurements made directly on the cross-sectioned hemi-mandibles using t-test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The results show that panoramic image is overestimated in predicting the linear measurements in posterior mandible. By applying the magnification factor of 1.29 the difference became insignificant. Conclusion: It seems rational to use panoramic radiography for pre-surgical implant assessment of posterior mandible if a true magnification factor is applied

Prevalence of Taurodontism in Premolars and Molars in the South of Iran

Background and aims. The study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of taurodontism and related systemic conditions and gender differences in premolars and molars of patients attending Shiraz Faculty of Dentistry. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, panoramic radiographs of 510 randomly selected patients were evaluated by a maxillofacial radiologist for the apically displaced pulp chamber. Detailed medical and family history of the patients was obtained. Results. The prevalence of taurodontism in 510 panoramic views was 5.5% of patients. Females had significantly higher prevalence of taurodontism than men (P>0.05) and mandibular second molar was the most affected tooth. Conclusion. Taurodontism was relatively common in population under study. A family history of other anomalies should be checked for affected patients

Assessing the knowledge and attitude of general dentists concerning Infection control principles during preparing intra oral radiographic views in Marvdasht, Fasa and Kazeroon

Background & Objective: Both dental patients and workers are in high chance of exposure to infective diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. In spite of the advances in infection control technologies, there are still many problems in both private and state dental centers. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of general dentists of Marvdasht, Fasa and Kazeroon cities concerning infection control principles during preparing intra oral radiographic views. Material & Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study. Studied society was dentists of Fasa, Marvdasht and Kazeroon.15 dentists were collected randomly in each city. Data were collected using questionnaire. Results were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA (Analysis of variance), Student’s T-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests. Results: Knowledge average scores were 5.66 in Fasa, 6.4 in Marvdasht, 4.06 in Kazeroon and 5.37 in total (out of 12). Attitude average scores were 6.2 in Fasa, 6.86 in Marvdasht, 5.06 in Kazeroon and 6.04 in total (out of 12). Knowledge of dentists in Marvdasht was significantly higher than Kazeroon. The knowledge and attitudes of dentists about infection control principles during preparing intra oral radiographic views was not in good range. Conclusion: More emphasis of the aspect of infection control principles is necessitated during preparing intra oral radiographic views In order to improve knowledge and correcting attitudes of dentists during dentistry training courses

Evaluation of Superior Semicircular Canal Morphology and Its Relationship with Glenoid Fossa Roof Thickness Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the bone thickness of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) roof and its relationship with the roof thickness of the glenoid fossa (RGF). Methods. The cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 280 patients (560 temporal regions) were surveyed. The lowest thickness of the SSC roof was measured and categorized based on the radiological patterns of the Cisneros et al. classification. The thickness of GF and the presence of dehiscence in this part were determined, as well. The relationship between the thickness of the GF roof and the bone thickness covering the SSC was also assessed. Results. The mean thickness of the SSC roof was 0.93 ± 0.48 mm, with no significant difference among different age groups and genders (p>0.05). However, superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) was more prevalent among females over 45 years old. Similarly, the individuals with the dehiscence of the GF roof had a 12.93-fold higher chance of SSCD development. Conclusions. The results indicated that the thickness of the bone overlying the SSC was significantly related to the roof thickness of the GF. However, an increase in age resulted in no significant change in the bone thickness of the SSC roof. Gender also had no role in changing the thickness of the bone overlying the SSC. Considering the decrease in the thickness of the SSC roof among females over 45 years of age, menopause may be responsible for this occurrence as well as for the increase in the prevalence of SSCD

Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Assessment of Bifid Mandibular Condyle

Objectives: Differential diagnosis of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) is important, since it may play a role in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions and joint symptoms. In addition, radiographic appearance of BMC may mimic tumors and/or fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and orientation of BMC based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.   Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on CBCT scans of paranasal sinuses of 425 patients. In a designated NNT station, all CBCT scans were evaluated in the axial, coronal and sagittal planes to find the frequency of BMC. The condylar head horizontal angulations were also determined in the transverse plane. T-test was used to compare the frequency of BMC between the left and right sides and between males and females. Results: Totally, 309 patients with acceptable visibility of condyles on CBCT scans were entered in the study consisting of 170 (55%) females and 139 (45%) males with a mean age of 39.43±9.7 years. The BMC was detected in 14 cases (4.53%). Differences between males and females, sides and horizontal angulations of condyle of normal and BMC cases were not significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of BMC in the studied population was 4.53%. No significant difference was observed between males and females, sides or horizontal angulations of the involved and uninvolved condyles

Osteoporosis and Jaw Abnormalities in Panoramic Radiography of Chronic Liver Failure Patients

Introduction. Patients with chronic liver failure (CLF) are faced with many complications, because this organ is involved in various metabolic activities. Hepatic osteodystrophy is one of the major health issues encountered by this group of patients. The current study evaluated osteoporosis and bone changes in oral panoramic radiographies of cirrhotic patients. Materials and Methods. In this study, 138 panoramic views of CLF patients, candidates for liver transplant (65 females, 73 males, aged 19-68 years) referred to Shiraz University Dental Clinic (Shiraz, Iran) for pretransplant oral examination, were evaluated. Also 138 healthy individuals (69 females, 69 males, aged 18-70 years) referred to the same clinic were examined. Abnormalities such as osteoporosis, pathologic radiolucencies, pathologic calcifications, tonsilloliths, condylar degeneration, and other findings in the alveolar bones were recorded. Results. Osteoporosis was a common finding in CLF patients (p<0.001), and the probability of detecting low bone density in the panoramic view was 20.37 times higher among patients than healthy subjects. The probability of detecting pathologic jaw radiolucencies was 8.92 times higher in the case group than in the controls (p<0.001). Other bone abnormalities such as condylar degeneration and idiopathic osteosclerosis were also more prevalent in CLF patients compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001). Conclusion. Cirrhotic patients are prone to osteoporosis of the alveolar bones. Also, pathologic jaw radiolucencies as a result of oral infections are more prevalent in this group of patients. Routine oral panoramic views are acceptable and cost-effective radiographies for use in detecting such abnormalities in the alveolar bones as well as overall dental health. These findings also support the importance of dental health examinations prior to liver transplantation to reduce the risk of organ rejection

Assessment of the changes in alveolar bone quality after fixed orthodontic therapy: A trabecular structure analysis

Background. Tooth displacement changes the periodontium. The aim of orthodontic treatment is desired tooth movement with minimum side effects on the alveolar bone quality. The aim of the present study was to assess changes of alveolar trabeculation in children, young adults and adults and the two genders. Methods. In this cross-sectional study, 63 patients who had been treated in Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, were chosen with convenient sampling method. They were divided into three groups based on their age. Their digitized panoramic radiographs (PRs) were evaluated at six interdental sites from the mesial aspect of the mandibular second molars to the distal aspect of the mandibular first premolars using a visual index. The trabeculation pattern was assigned as either dense (score 3), dense-sparse (score 2) or sparse (score 1). Data were imported to SPSS. Mean of the scores before treatment (score B) and mean of them after treatment (score A) were compared for each group with paired t-test. Changes between score B and sore A of the groups were compared using one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests. Results. Mean score A was significantly higher than mean score B in children (P = 0.001). In contrast, mean score A was significantly lower than mean score B in young adults (P = 0.003). Conclusion. Orthodontists should be cautious when treating young adults and adults regarding the probable, yet possibly temporary, negative effects of orthodontic therapy on the alveolar bone quality

A Radiographic Evaluation of Missing of Permanent First Molars in a Group of Iranian Children and Adults: A Retrospective Study

The missing of permanent first molars influences the occlusal status and dental health. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of missing first molar teeth in a selected population of Shiraz, Iran. Methods. A total of 2206 panoramic views of patients aged from 7 to 75 years old were inspected for missing of permanent first molars. Patients were categorized into five age groups: from 7 to 15, 16 to 30, 31 to 45, 46 to 60, and more than 60 years old. Data were categorized according to sex, age, and number of lost teeth using SPSS software. Results. No first molar was missing in 59.9% of the cases, 17.05% had lost one, 10.4% had lost two, 7.2% had lost three, and 5% were missing all four of their permanent first molars. The mandibular first molar was the most commonly lost tooth, and the left side in both jaws was more affected than the right side. There was a positive relation between age and missing first molar. Conclusions. A missing first molar is a common finding in southern Iran population. Due to the important role of permanent first molars in occlusion, more education and dental care is recommended to preserve these teeth