Rhinolith: An Incidental Finding in a Patient Under Orthodontic Treatment

Objectives Rhinolith is an uncommon condition that results from calcification of an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. It may present asymptomatically or cause symptoms like headache and nasal obstruction. Case: In this case report, we present a case of an unusual and quite big rhinolith in a 17-year-old male which was undetected for some time, and was accidentally found in the radiographic examination. It possibly originated from a retained foreign body in childhood. We discuss its clinical and radiographic features and its effect on the surrounding structures. Conclusion Radiographic assessment and rigid endoscopy are important to evaluate the rhinolith's location

Prevalence of Taurodontism of Permanent Molars in Dental School of Shahid Beheshti University from 2000 to 2006

Objective: Taurodontism is a dental anomaly characterized by elongation of root body and apical displacement of the pulp chamber floor associated with shortening of roots and their narrowing at  the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). Due to having a dilated apical one-third, these teeth may cause complications during extraction, locating canal orifices and instrumentation. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of taurodontism of permanent molars in a small Iranian population.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted on 1,100 dental records of patients that were randomly selected among 5,672 records available in the archives of School of Dentistry,  Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from 2000 to 2010 that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Teeth with extensive restorations or carious lesions were excluded. One observer evaluated all the radiographs and the teeth were classified based on the presence or absence of taurodontism. All positive cases were re-evaluated by two examiners and accurate measurements were made using a caliper according to Shifman and Chanannel criteria.Results: A total of 1,184 radiographs were evaluated; of which 447 (47.7%) belonged to males and 737 (62.3%) belonged to females. A total of 5,532 first and second molars of both jaws were evaluated  in  these  radiographs.  There  were  1,310  (23.7%)  maxillary  first  molars,  987 (17.8%)mandibular first molars, 1,731 (31.3%) maxillary second molars and 1,504 (27.7%) mandibular second molars. Overall, 293 teeth had taurodontism; of which, 179 belonged to females and 114 belonged to males.Conclusion: The prevalence of taurodontism in the understudy population was 6.41%.  It appears that taurodontism is not as rare as it is thought to be

Morphological patterns of lip prints in an Iranian population

Lip prints are verified to be unique to an individual and stable over time; hence they have potential for human identification purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the individuality and variability of lip prints in an Iranian population for the first time. We also sought to assess the possibility of sex determination via lip printing. Lip prints of 96 individuals including 22 males and 74 females were recorded on a plain white paper using a dark-colored lipstick and 50 mm of Scotch tape. Each lip print was divided into six sextants and studied independently by two observers using a magnifying lens to examine the lip grooves. The Suzuki and Tsuchihashi’s classification was used to define the lip patterns and the data were statistically analyzed. In the present study, no identically similar lip prints were observed. Type V was the most predominant pattern recorded in the study sample (33.16%), followed by type I (24.13%), type II (18.75%), type IV (11.63%), type I’ (9.72%) and type III (2.60%). In addition, no statistically significant difference was observed in the lip print patterns of males and females. It can be concluded that lip prints are unique and their analysis may enable human identification

Assessment of the Inferior Mandibular Canal’s Position by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Objectives: It is important to know the exact location and anatomic variety of inferior alveolar nerve canal for different procedures of mandibular surgeries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate inferior mandibular canal’s anatomic position by Cone-beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).Methods: In a cross sectional study, CBCT were taken and assessed from 130 patients (260 semi-arch) referring to the radiologic department of Shahid Beheshti Dental Faculty. Three points including 1cm before mental foramen (point A), under second molar’s furcation (point B) and 1cm after mandibular foramen on the inferior alveolar canal (point C) were chosen. The canal diameter, length and the distance between the canal and inferior border of mandible were measured. SPSS version 19 software used for data analysis. T and variance tests evaluated the role of age, gender, canal length and jaw side.Results: Mean age of patients was 43.73±13.25. Canal length, 61.71 ± 4.95 ml and canal diameter was 2.94 ± 0.58 mm. The distance between the canal and the inferior border of mandible was 9.47 ± 2.23 mm. There was a significant difference in gender and age for all parameters. The distance between the canal and the inferior border in C point and at mental foramen in cases with short and long canal length showed a significant difference. (p≤0.012)None of the variables showed significant difference between right and left sides.Conclusion: The anatomic position of mandibular canal is related to gender and canal length, and independent to age and side

Effect of Slice Thickness on the Accuracy of Linear Measurements Made on Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images (InVitro)

Objective: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is applied for the imaging of the maxillofacial and dental structures, particularly for surgical treatments and dental implants. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of slice thickness on the accuracy of CBCT linear measurements. Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy study, forty-two titanium pins with the same dimensions were inserted into seven dry sheep mandibles. The length of the pins before the insertion was carefully measured by a digital caliper, (0.01mm accuracy). Imaging of the mandible performed using CBCT New Tom VGi. After image reconstruction by NNT Viewer, linear measurements were made on cross-sectional slices (thicknesses of 0.125, 0.5, 1 and 2mm) by three radiologists. The accuracy of measurements assessed using descriptive indices and compared between different slice thicknesses by repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant difference between different slice thicknesses (P=0.024). According to the least significant difference (LSD) test, the difference in absolute errors was significant in all thicknesses (P=0.024). Measurements at 0.125 mm thickness were significantly different from others, with a higher error rate (mean absolute error=0.17). Measurements at 0.5mm thickness showed a significant difference with those at 0.125 and 2mm (mean absolute error=0.15). Measurements at 2mm thickness were significantly different from those at 0.125 mm thickness (mean absolute error=0.13).The average error rate was lower in 2mm thickness and the measurements were more accurate.Conclusion: A statistically significant difference was seam between CBCT measurements and actual sizes in different slice thicknesses. The differences were below 1mm, and clinically acceptable

Assessment of the Relation of Mandibular Cortical Index and Gonial Angle Size in an Adult Iranian Population Using Digital Panoramic Radiography

Objectives: This study sought to assess the relation of mandibular cortical index (MCI) with age, gender and gonial angle size in an Iranian adult population using digital panoramic radiography.Methods: We evaluated 370 digital panoramic radiographs of patients and divided them into five 10-year age groups. Each radiograph was assigned to low (≤120°) or high (≥125°) angle groups in terms of the gonial angle size. The MCI class was also determined for each individual. The multinomial logistic regression was used to assess statistical differences.Results: The MCI class was significantly different between males and females and MCI class 3 had higher prevalence among older individuals. There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of MCI classes between individuals with high and low gonial angles.Conclusion: Age-related changes in MCI support its potential use for detection of skeletal osteopenia

Oro-facial manifestations of 100 leprosy patients

Objectives: To verify the frequency of oral and facial involvement in diagnosed leprosy patients. Study design: This study was performed on 100 leprosy patients (62 male, 38 female, mean ages 51.86±6.1). After explaining the study design, we studied descriptive information including: patient?s sex, age, job, place of birth, familial history of leprosy, types of disease (lepromatous, borderline and tuberculoid leprosy), ocular and oral lesions, facial involvement and neuropathy. The statistical signification was measured by chi-square test. Results: A total of 46 (23 lepromatous, 15 borderline, and 8 tuberculoid leproy) out of 100 patients with leprosy had oral lesions. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference in frequency of oral lesions between different types of disease. Facial lesions were presented in 57 (39 lepromatous, 10 borderline, and 8 tuberculoid leprosy) patients. There was a statistical significant difference in frequency of facial manifestations between different types of leprosy. It has to be mentioned that, atrophy of nasal spine, facial nerve involvement, ocular lesions and facial deformity were seen in 15%, 17%, 22% and 44% of leprosy patients, respectively. Conclusion: Examination of leprosy patients should be extended to the oral mucosa because oral mucosa may be a secondary source of M.Leprae transmission and infectio

Prevalence of calcified carotid artery on panoramic radiographs in postmenopausal women

Background and aims. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of calcified carotid artery in 50 year-old and older postmenopausal dental outpatients for early diagnosis of individuals at risk of stroke.
 Materials and methods. This is a descriptive study of 200 panoramic radiographs. These radiographs included postmenopausal women referring to the Department of Oral Medicine at Shahid Beheshti Faculty of Dentistry during 2006-2007. The x-ray machine, developer and film type were the same for all the radiographs. Statistical analysis included chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.
 Results. We found 22 calcified carotid arteries. The left and right carotid arteries were involved in 7 and 9 cases, respectively. In 6 cases both carotid arteries were calcified. Four individuals had no vascular risk factor excluding age and others had at least one risk factor. We found significant statistical correlation between hypertension, past history of myocardial infarction, and hypercholesterolemia with calcified carotid artery on panoramic radiographs.
 Conclusion. Under the limitations of the present study, prevalence of calcified carotid arteries is 11.0 % in 50 year-old and older postmenopausal dental outpatients

Experimental Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Conventional and Digital Radiography in Detection of External Root Resorption

Background and Aim: External root resorption is not detectable clinically and radiography plays a key role in its diagnosis.The present study aimed at comparing the diagnostic efficacy of conventional anddigital radiography in detection of simulated root resorption cavities (In-vitro ).   Materials and Methods : This experimental observational study evaluated 39 extracted teeth. All roots, except for the palatal root of upper molars,were hypotheticallydividedinto apical and coronal sections.Half these sites were considered as the control group .Buccal cavities were randomly made in the remaining sectionsusing # 1/2,2 and 4 round burrs.Each tooth was imaged using a CCD-based digital system and E-speed film. Radiographs were taken at 0 and 20˚ mesial angulation .Six image groups were interpreted by two experienced oral and maxillofacial radiologists and one endodontist.Conventional and enhanced digital radiographs were also takenat 0 and 20˚ mesial angulation. Conventional radiographs were viewedat 2X magnification by a magnifying glass. Sensitivity, specificity,false positive and false negative percentages and accuracyof each method were compared with the gold standard. The degree of agreement among these techniques was measuredbykappa coefficient .   Results: Conventional radiography at 2X magnification had the highest sensitivity and specificity. No significant difference was found in sensitivity of digital radiography and enhanced digital radiography. Enhanced digital radiography ranked second in terms of specificity. Conventional radiography at 2X magnification followed by enhanced digital radiography had the highest diagnostic accuracy. Mesial angulation of the cone increasedsensitivity and decreased specificity in all three techniques and thus, it only improved the diagnostic accuracy of digital radiography with no significant effect on the other two techniques.The degree of agreement between the two digital techniques was higher (k=0.68) .   Conclusion: Diagnostic efficacy of conventional radiography at 2X magnification is more than digital radiographs for detection of external root resorption