Subjective image quality of digitally filtered radiographs acquired by the Durr Vistascan system compared with conventional radiographs

Objectives. To compare the different digital filters implemented in the Durr Vistascan system with conventional film and to analyze the filter specificity to anatomic structures. Study design. Ten panoramic image pairs and 10 periapical image pairs 0 digital and I conventional) were obtained from 20 patients conventionally and digitally. The display quality of different anatomic image structures was rated subjectively on a 5-point scale. The responses were evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer post hoc tests. The intraobserver reliability was evaluated by Cohen's kappa statistics. Results. The display quality of anatomic structures was rated higher by using Caries I or 2 filters for periapical and Periodontal I or 2 filters for panoramic images, whereas nonfiltered and Noise Reduction-filtered images received the lowest scorings compared to all other digital image modalities (P < .0097). The superiority of conventional radiographs to the digital ones was statistically significant (P < .0039 and P < .0152 respectively). Conclusions. Depending on the diagnostic task, digital images of the Vistascan system should be filtered before examination. Perfect conventional radiographs still remain the gold standard for image quality

Improvement of oral health knowledge in a group of visually impaired students

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a repeated oral health education programme on oral health knowledge and hygiene of visually impaired students. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at one of the two visually impaired boarding schools of Istanbul, Turkey. The number of subjects was 65, comprising 28 totally and 37 partially visually impaired students between 7 and 17 years of age. A 24-item verbal questionnaire was developed to record their general health, impairment, the socio-economic profile and education level of their parents, oral health knowledge, sources of information about oral health, awareness of sugar intake/ caries risk, frequency of dental check-ups and oral hygiene habits, as well as any difficulties they experienced thereby. They were given individual training on oral care three times with two-month intervals within the nine-month framework of the programme. To measure the oral hygiene status, plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) scores were recorded of all teeth at four sites throughout the sessions. After completion of the programme, the oral health knowledge of the students was evaluated using the same questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of the programme. Results: Statistically significant improvements were found at the level of oral health knowledge and oral hygiene status both in totally and partially visually impaired students at the end of the study (p < 0.001) as compared with at the beginning. No significant difference was found between the knowledge of totally visually impaired and partially visually impaired students. Conclusion: It was concluded that with an appropriate programme, the oral health knowledge of visually impaired students could be improved. This programme, if conducted on a one-to-one basis, ensures clinical and statistical significance. © quintessenz

RETROSPECTIVE EVULATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is chronic pain and burning sensation in the mouth accompanied by various symptoms mainly seen in peri- and postmenopausal women. Burning and stinging sensation on the tongue, lips and other oral mucosal surfaces, dry mouth or increased salivation, taste change, loss of taste, and paresthesia are the prominent symptoms. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of BMS patients. The records of BMS patients were retrospectively retrieved from the archive of Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry, Outpatient Clinic of Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology. Patients’ data were further searched into the faculty database. Patients were classified according to the intensity of pain and burning complaints during the day. Data were evaluated with descriptive statistical analysis and chi-square tests. The significance level was determined as p<0,05. A total of 50 patients were deemed fit to the criteria. It was found that the majority of BMS patients were female (%76, n=38; mean age=58,4±13 years) and BMS was more frequent in females (p<0,05). Type 2 (Burning feeling that continues throughout the day) was determined as the most prevalent type of BMS (%52, n=26). The findings of the study showed that the most frequent type of BMS was Type 2 and it was more frequently seen in women. Its etiopathogenesis has not been clarified and since it may be idiopathic, the patients should be carefully evaluated. Individual treatment methods are needed whilst determining the treatment plan. Dental clinicians should take into consideration the possible peak periods while examining and treating BMS patients

Associations between Periapical Health of Maxillary Molars and Mucosal Thickening of Maxillary Sinuses in Cone-beam Computed Tomographic Images: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: This retrospective study aimed to assess the radiologic characteristics of the possible associations between mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinuses (MSs) and periodontal and anatomic conditions of healthy and diseased maxillary teeth. Methods: The periapical health of the maxillary molars in cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images from 50 patients (mean age = 40.60 +/- 14.59 years) was evaluated using the CBCT-periapical index. Anatomic associations between maxillary molars and the inferior wall of the MSs and periodontal bone loss and its relation to MS pathology were assessed. The possible effects of these conditions on mucosal thickening of MSs were analyzed. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, chi-square, and logistic regression (for relative risk) tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: : CBCT-periapical index 4 was the most frequently encountered apical periodontitis (AP) lesion. The risk for pathologic changes in the MSs was significantly higher in the presence of AP (P < .001). This risk was 62.364 times greater than that in areas of MSs adjacent to healthy teeth of the same patient (95% confidence interval, 7.968-488.14). Thicker MS mucosae were detected when the molar roots with AP were closer to the MSs (P < .004). No statistically significant difference was found between periodontal status and MS pathology. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that MSs were affected by the endodontic health of adjacent molar teeth. Dental and medical practitioners should take into consideration the possible odontogenic causes while examining pathologic changes in the MS

Association between Oral Mucosal Lesions and Hygiene Habits in a Population of Removable Prosthesis Wearers

PurposeThis prospective study evaluated the influence of self-reported prosthesis hygiene regimens and prosthesis usage habits on the presence of oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) in complete removable and/or partial removable dental (CRDP/PRDP) prosthesis wearers (PWs). Materials and MethodsBetween January 2009 and January 2011, the conventional oral mucosa of 400 consecutive PWs (252 women; 148 men), aged between 29 and 86 years, were examined clinically. Information was derived considering the type and age of the prosthesis, hygiene level, frequency and style of prosthesis cleaning, overnight prosthesis use, storage conditions, and systemic diseases. Non-prosthesis- and prosthesis-related OMLs were identified. The data were analyzed using univariate (Chi-square) and multivariate (logistic regression) tests to assess the development of OMLs as a function of the selected variables. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated at 95% confidence intervals (CI; = 0.05). ResultsOf the 400 PWs, 21.5% had CRDP, 52.5% PRDP, and 25.8% CRD/PRD prostheses. Thirty-two percent of the PWs cleaned their prosthesis once a day. Brushing the prosthesis with toothbrush and soap/toothpaste was the most commonly practiced cleaning regimen (85.8%). More than half (64.5%) of the PWs used their prosthesis overnight. Among all PWs, 37.8% had a prosthesis-related OML. Stomatitis Newton Type II (46%) and Type III (38%) were the most common OMLs. OML frequency was higher in PWs having CRDPs than those having PRDPs (p < 0.05). Overnight prosthesis use (p = 0.003, OR: 13.65; 95% CI: 1.7-109.3), denture age 11 years (p = 0.017, OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.1-2.7), and immersion in water and solution (p = 0.023, OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.02-1.02) affected the incidence of OML significantly. Hypertension was the most common systemic disease (31.5%). ConclusionOvernight use, denture age, and storage conditions of CRDP or PRDPs demonstrated a more significant impact on OML incidence than frequency of cleaning. Oral healthcare programs for removable PWs should specifically provide education on prosthesis usage instructions

Osteomyelitis due to arsenic trioxide use for tooth devitalization

Aim To present a case of osteomyelitis that was caused by the use of arsenic trioxide during root canal treatment in a mandibular left first molar. Summary Arsenic was once in common use to devitalize inflammed pulp tissue before root canal treatment. Its prolonged application or leakage leads to toxic effects beyond the pulp tissue, and necrosis of periodontal tissues and supporting alveolar bone has been described. This report presents a case of osteomyelitis resulting from leakage of arsenic trioxide used in pulp devitalization. Sequestrectomy and excision of non-vital alveolar bone was performed to treat the severe tissue necrosis. Key learning points Agents containing arsenic are still employed by some clinicians and may be encountered when patients present with tissue destruction resulting from their use. Dental practitioners should be aware that arsenic paste may diffuse into periodontal tissues through apical, lateral or accessory canals, through perforations and around leaking restorations. Osteomyelitis caused by arsenic trioxide can be treated by a combination of pharmacotherapeutic and invasive surgical methods. Arsenic pastes have no place in endodontic practice