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

Mandibular bone changes induced by head and neck radiotherapy

Context: The mandible is inevitably affected by radiation during radiotherapy of head and neck cancers. Surveys have shown that most of the emphasis has been on osteoradionecrosis (ORN), while the other bony changes occurring in this area have been largely ignored. Aims: In this study we examine the radiologic changes in the mandible of irradiated patients using panoramic radiography and compare it with the mandible in non-irradiated cases. Materials and Methods: Mandibular bone changes of 48 patients who had received therapeutic radiation for head and neck cancer were assessed. We measured the width of the cortex and the width of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs and assessed the changes by comparison with the mandibular bones of non-irradiated subjects. Clinical evaluations were performed for assessing maximum jaw opening, masticatory muscle tenderness, and presence of mucosal ulcers and/or exposed bone in the oral cavity. Statistical analysis: Paired t-test, Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney test were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance. Results: There was no evidence of mucosal ulceration or exposed bone in irradiated patients. There was significant relationship between the number of years after radiotherapy and the degree of limitation of mouth opening (P = 0.000). Receipt of concurrent chemotherapy did not seem to have any additive effect on the width of mandibular canal or the thickness of the mandibular cortex. Conclusion: Reduction in the width of the mandibular cortex and dimensions of the inferior alveolar canal could be considered as one of the effects of head and neck radiotherapy

Can Dental Pulp Calcification Predict the Risk of Ischemic Cardiovascular Disease?

Objective: To report the association of pulp calcification with that of cardiovascular disease (CVD) using digital panoramic dental radiographs.Materials and Methods: Digital panoramic radiographs of patients referred from the angiography department were included if the patient was under 55 years old and had non-restored or minimally restored molars and canines. An oral and maxillofacial radiologist evaluated the images for pulpal calcifications in the selected teeth. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of panoramic radiography in predicting CVD were calculated.Results: Out of 122 patients who met the criteria, 68.2% of the patients with CVD had pulp chamber calcifications. Pulp calcification in panoramic radiography had a sensitivity of 68.9% to predict CVD.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that patients with CVD show an increased incidence of pulp calcification compared with healthy patients. The findings suggest that pulp calcification on panoramic radiography may have possibilities for use in CVD screening