Radiographic appearance and clinical implications of the presence of radix entomolaris and radix paramolaris

Background: The variation in mandibular molars’ anatomy is not as rare as it might appear to be. Depending on the location of the additional root found in a mandibular molar, it may be referred to as either radix entomolaris (RE) or radix paramolaris (RP). The aim of the study was to present radiographic appearance of RE and RP and indicate the clinical implications of its presence. Materials and methods: The material consisted of 3,000 panoramic and 300 periapical radiographs of first and second mandibular molars taken in the Department of Dental and Maxillofacial Radiodiagnostics of the Medical University in Lublin which were screened for RE and RP. Results: Among panoramic and periapical radiographs only 14 cases of additional roots were found: 11 teeth with RE/RP in the Polish population and 3 in Taiwanese. Only 2 panoramic radiographs revealed the presence of RE and surprisingly the occurrence was bilateral. Conclusions: Dentists should not be taken by surprise at finding an additional root in mandibular molars. They should be aware of the anatomical diversity of these teeth and know how to recognise possible extra roots during radiograph reading.

Pneumatization of the articular eminence in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT): prevalence and characteristics — literature review

Background: The articular tubercle is a site prone to pneumatization within the cranial bones. Knowledge of the anatomical variations of pneumatization adjacent to the temporomandibular joint is an important issue. Air cells exhibit decreased resistance to trauma, facilitate the spread of various pathologies in the TMJ, such as inflammation, tumors or fractures. Articular tubercle pneumatization may cause complications during TMJ surgery. Information of possible location allows to detect and conduct differential diagnosis of PAT during CBCT examinations. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristics of pneumatization of the articular tubercle (PAT), with respect to age, gender, location and type through assessment in CBCT images. Materials and methods: Articles were selected through database search (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar), in which the main objective was to assess the prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization using CBCT. Search strategies included the following keywords: „pneumatized articular eminence” and “CBCT”, "pneumatized articular tubercle” and “CBCT" and "zygomatic air cell defect” and “CBCT".  A meta-analysis of prevalence using a random effects model was performed. Results: Fifteen studies met the selection criteria. The results showed that an overall prevalence of articular tubercle pneumatization was 25.22% (n = 6393; 95% CI 15.84 - 35.94). The occurrence of PAT in females was 25.14% (n = 3064; 95% CI 14.96 - 36.94). The frequency of PAT in males was 25.81% (n = 2671; 95% CI 15.30 - 37.99). Conclusions: There was no correlation between the frequency, location or type of PAT with age and gender