Survey of dentists of knowledge about radiographic localization methods

Objective: To verify dentists’ about radiographic localization methods. Methods: A field survey was conducted among 60 dentists, of whom 25 were general clinicians and 35 were specialists dentists, using a questionnaire with 14 discursive questions, where they could express their Knowledge about which radiographic localization techniques are known and how to interpret them. Results: It was verified that the Clark technique was most known by 92% of the general clinicians, followed by Le Master ( 16%). In the group of specialists, Clark was also ranked first by 86%, followed by the Miller Winter technique by 29%. By means of a routine clinical situation we analyzed whether the dentists knew how to interpret the Clark technique, and the results showed that among the general clinicians 56% knew how to interpret the technique, 32% gave the incorrect answer and 12% answered that they did not know. Among the specialists, 74% knew how to interpret the technique and 26% answered incorrectly. The general clinicians (72%) declared that they most frequently used the Clark technique, as the time since they graduated increased. However, only 56% of them gave the correct interpretation in the clinical situation presented in the question. Conclusion: This, it could be concluded that Clark is the best known technique among dentists (specialist or general clinicians), but they do not necessary know how to interpret it. Moreover, it was shown that the others techniques are hardly known, which leads to the conclusion that one needs to rethink the curriculum, so that they receive more emphasis, as they are equally important

Avaliação da densidade óptica de porcelanas usadas para confecção de próteses inlay/onlay por meio de radiografia digital

The purpose of this article was to compare the mean value of optical density of four porcelains commonly used for fabrication of inlay/onlay prostheses using direct digital radiograph. The sample consisted of 20 2-mm thick porcelain specimens (measured by digital pachymeter): Empress (Ivoclair), Simbios (Degussa), Vita Omega 900 and Vitadur Alpha (Vita Zahnfabrik). The values of optical density of the specimens were expressed in millimeters aluminum equivalent (mm eq Al). The samples were X-rayed using two charge coupled devices (CCD) - RVG (Trophy) - Visualix (Gendex) and a phosphor plate system - Digora (Soredex). The optical density reading was performed with Image Tool 1.28 in a total of 110 measurements. Statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in all materials studied (p < 0.05) regardless of the radiographic system used. The highest optical density value was found for Omega 900 (1.8988 mmeqAl - Visualix - Gendex) and the lowest for Vitadur Alpha (0.8647 - Visualix - Gendex). Thus, the material presenting the highest degree of optical density was Omega 900, Empress and Simbios presented intermediate optical density values, Vitadur Alpha presented the lowest value, and the optical density of porcelains was not influenced by the digital radiography systems.Objetivo desse trabalho é comparar valores médios de densidade óptica de quatro porcelanas comumente utilizadas para confecção de inlay/onlay por meio da densidade óptica usando radiografia digital. A amostra constou de 20 corpos de prova com espessura de 2mm (mensurados em paquímetro digital) das porcelanas: Empress (Ivoclair), Simbios (Degussa), Vita Omega 900 e Vitadur Alpha (Vita Zahnfabrik). Os valores de densidade óptica das amostras foram expressos em milímetros equivalente em alumínio (mm eq Al). Os espécimes foram radiografados, utilizando dois sistemas de dispositivo de carga acoplada (CCD) - RVG (Trophy) - Visualix (Gendex) e um sistema de placa de fósforo - Digora (Soredex). A leitura da densidade óptica foi realizada no programa Image Tool 1.28 totalizando 110 medições. As leituras de densidade ópticas foram feitas no programa Image Tool 1.28 totalizando 110 mensurações. A análise estatística demonstrou que houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a densidade óptica das porcelanas estudadas independentemente do sistema de radiografia empregado (p < 0,05). A porcelana Omega 900 obteve 1,8988mmeqAl - Visualix - Gendex e Vitadur Alpha 0,8647mmeqAl - Visualix - Gendex. Conclui-se que a porcelana Omega 900 apresentou os maiores valores de densidade óptica, enquanto que Empress e Simbios obtiveram valores intermiediários, Vitadur Alpha apresentou os menores valores de densidade óptica e a densidade óptica das porcelanas não foram influenciadas pelo sistema de radiografia digital

Influence of image filters on the reproducibility measurements of alveolar bone loss

The reproducibility of measurements of alveolar bone loss on radiographs may be a problem on epidemiologic studies, as they are based on comparisons of the diagnosis of various examiners. The aim of the present research paper was to assess the inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility of measurements of the interproximal alveolar bone loss on non-manipulated digital radiographs and after the application of image filters. Five Oral Radiologists measured the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the alveolar crest or to the deepest point of the bony defect on 12 interproximal digital radiographs of molars and bicuspids of a dry human skull. The digital manipulation and the linear measurements were obtained with the Trophy Windows software (Throphy®). For each image, six different versions were created: 1) non-manipulated; 2) bright-contrast adjustment; 3) negative; 4) negative with brightness-contrast adjustment; 5) pseudo-colored; 6) pseudo-colored with brightness-contrast adjustment. In order to prevent interpretation bias because of the repetition of measurements, the examiners measured the radiographs in a random sequence. The two-way ANOVA test at 5% level of significance to compare the means of readings of the same operator with each filter indicated p;0.05 for all filters. Based on the results, we concluded that linear measurements of interproximal alveolar bone loss on digital radiographs are highly reproducible among examiners. Nevertheless, the application of image filters significantly influenced the degree of intra-examiner reproducibility. Some filters even reduced the reproducibility of intra-examiner readings.A reprodutibilidade de medidas da perda óssea alveolar em radiografias pode se tornar um problema em levantamentos epidemiológicos, que são baseados em comparações de diagnóstico de vários observadores. O objetivo neste estudo foi avaliar a reprodutibilidade intra e inter-examinador de medidas da perda óssea interproximal, em radiografias digitais não manipuladas e após a aplicação de diferentes filtros de imagem. Cinco radiologistas avaliaram a distância da junção cemento-esmalte até a crista óssea alveolar ou ponto mais apical do defeito ósseo em 12 radiografias digitais interproximais da região de molares e pré-molares de crânio humano macerado. As manipulações digitais e as medidas lineares foram realizadas no programa de computador do sistema radiográfico (Throphy®). Para cada imagem foram criadas seis diferentes versões: 1) não manipulada digitalmente; 2) manipulada por ajuste de brilho e contraste; 3) negativo; 4) negativo com ajuste de brilho e contraste; 5) pseudo-colorida; 6) pseudo-colorida com ajuste de brilho e contraste. Para prevenir tendências da mesma leitura pela avaliação repetida das radiografias, determinou-se uma ordem para a interpretação das imagens. O teste ANOVA fator duplo sem repetição, com nível de significância de 5%, realizado para comparação das médias de um mesmo examinador nas diferentes versões de imagem revelou p;0,05. A análise dos resultados nos permite concluir que medidas lineares da perda óssea alveolar interproximal em radiografias digitais apresentam alto grau de reprodutibilidade inter-examinadores, entretanto a aplicação de filtros de imagem não influenciou significativamente no grau de reprodutibilidade dessas medidas. Ao contrário, certas ferramentas reduziram a reprodutibilidade das medidas intra-examinador

Assessment of divine proportion in the cranial structure of individuals with Angle Class II malocclusion on lateral cephalograms

INTRODUCTION: The study of the Divine Proportion (Φ = 1.618) began with the Greeks, having as main researchers the mathematician Pythagoras and the sculptor Phidias. In Dentistry, Ricketts (1981-82) was an early to study this issue. OBJECTIVE: This study proposed to evaluate how some cephalometric measures are presented in relation to the Divine Proportion, with the total of 52 proportions, formed by 28 cephalometric landmarks. METHODS: Lateral cephalograms of 40 Class II adults patients aging from 17 to 45 years (13 male and 27 female) were evaluated. The linear distances between the landmarks were measured using Radiocef Studio software. RESULTS: After statistical analysis, the data shown an average of 65,48% in the Divine Proportion, 17,5% in the relation Ans-Op/V1S-DM16 and 97,5% in the relations Na-Me/Na-PoNa e Na-PoNa/Na-Gn. CONCLUSION: Among all cephalometric measurements investigated, the lower facial third and the dental arches showed the smallest percentages of Divine Proportion

Myositis ossificans traumatica of the medial pterygoid muscle: a case report.

In this report, we present a case of myositis ossificans traumatica (MOT) of the medial pterygoid muscle that had developed after mandibular block anesthesia administered for endodontic treatment of the lower right second molar, demonstrating typical features of this condition. MOT should be considered as a differential diagnosis when there is severe limitation of jaw opening and an associated trauma. Panoramic radiographs and axial and coronal computed tomography (CT) scans can effectively delineate the calcified mass. Other imaging studies that may be helpful include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scans, and ultrasound. As shown in our case, calcified masses were found in the right mandibular angle, which severely limited jaw opening. Some earlier reported cases of MOT were treated by extraoral surgical approaches with complete removal of the evolving muscle. The aim of this case report is to present only the diagnostic imaging aspects of myositis ossificans traumatica

IMPORTANCIA Y APLICACIONES DEL SISTEMA DE TOMOGRAFIA COMPUTARIZADA CONE-BEAM (CBCT)

Actualmente el sistema de tomografia computarizada Cone-beam(CBTM) puede ser empleada en el mundo m&eacute;dico y odontologico. Este sistema tiene como principio un algoritmo que corrige las deformidades e inestabilidades de las im&aacute;genes tomogr&aacute;ficas computarizadas posibilitando mejor visualizaci&oacute;n y mayor exactitud en im&aacute;genes de tumores o &aacute;reas de inter&eacute;s profesional. Desta forma, el profesional consigue localizar f&aacute;cilmente, con un minino de error, el local de inter&eacute;s para tratamientos quir&uacute;rgicos, radioter&aacute;picos y otros, permitiendo un mejor planeamento a sus pacientes.ABSTRACTThe cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been applied to Dentistry and Medicine all over the world. This system is based on an algorithm which corrects the deformities and instabilities of the tomographic images, providing a more precise visualization of tumors and regions of interest. Therefore, the professional will easily localize, with a minimum degree of mistake, the target for surgical and radiotherapic treatments, among others, and achieve a better treatment plan for the patient