Diagnostic value of routine dental radiographs for predicting the mandibular canal localization validated by cone‐beam computed tomogram measurements

Abstract Objectives To test the hypothesis that routine dental radiographs can be used to draw conclusions regarding the mandibular canal (MC) localization. Material and Methods A total of 108 radiographs (36 orthopantomograms [OPTs], 36 lateral cephalograms [LCs], and 36 cone‐beam computed tomograms [CBCTs]) of 36 patients were analyzed. Statistical analysis included all cephalometric parameters obtained by OPTs, LCs, and CBCTs. Potential influencing parameters were calculated using linear and logistic regression with a backward removal algorithm. For predictability of MC localization, parameters were correlated using Pearson's correlation. Results The MC ran along the lingual half (n = 24) twice as often as in the buccal half (n = 12) in the population studied. The position was always symmetrical contralaterally. No sex‐specific influence was observed (p = .34). Lingual and buccal MC courses were statistically significantly correlated to increased and decreased jaw angles (LC/OPT), respectively (p = .003; r = −.48/p = .010; r = −.42). An increased jaw angle was significantly correlated with a more cranial MC position (p = .013; r = −.41); a deep and distal bite position was significantly correlated with a caudal and buccal MC position (p = .004; r = −.47/p = .001; r = .57). Moreover, an increase of 1 point in the Hasund score predicted an increased probability of a buccal MC position by 18.6%. The jaw angle analyzed in OPT and LC images were positively correlated (r = .89, p < .001). Conclusions Routine dental radiographs provide informative guidance on the location of the MC in the vertical and transverse levels. This finding could be used in the initial consultation and treatment planning to consider more invasive diagnostic methods further down the line

Re‐evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts (E 400–E 404) as food additives

The present opinion deals with the re-evaluation of alginic acid and its sodium, potassium, ammonium and calcium salts (E 400–E 404) when used as food additives. Alginic acid and its salts (E 400–E 404) are authorised food additives in the EU in accordance with Annex II and Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Following the conceptual framework for the risk assessment of certain food additives re-evaluated under Commission Regulation (EU) No 257/2010, the Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for alginic acid and its salts (E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403 and E 404), and that there was no safety concern at the level of the refined exposure assessment for the reported uses of alginic acid and its salts (E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403 and E 404) as food additives. The Panel further concluded that exposure of infants and young children to alginic acid and its salts (E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403 and E 404) by the use of these food additives should stay below therapeutic dosages for these population groups at which side-effects could occur. Concerning the use of alginic acid and its salts (E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403 and E 404) in ‘dietary foods for special medical purposes and special formulae for infants’ (Food category 13.1.5.1) and ‘in dietary foods for babies and young children for special medical purposes as defined in Directive 1999/21/EC’ (Food category 13.1.5.2), the Panel further concluded that the available data did not allow an adequate assessment of the safety of alginic acid and its salts (E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403 and E 404) in infants and young children consuming the food belonging to the categories 13.1.5.1 and 13.1.5.2