Detection of bifid mandibular condyle using computed tomography

Objective: To determine the frequency and characteristics of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) using computed tomography (CT) evaluation. Study Design: A retrospective study was carried out using the CT records of 550 patients referred to the Medical School of Erciyes University (Kayseri, Turkey) between 2007 and 2010. T-tests were used to compare frequency of BMC between the left and right sides and between female and male patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software and a chi-squared test. Results: Of the 550 Patients, 10 patients (1.82%) were found to have BMCs. Five patients were female (50%) and five were male (50%). Of these 10 patients, 7 (70%) had unilateral and 3 (30%) had bilateral BMCs. As a result, a total of 13 BMCs were found in 10 patients. No statistically significant differences were found between either the right- and left-sided BMCs or between female and male patients (p >.05). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study investigating the prevalence and characteristics of BMC using computed tomography. Although BMC is an uncommon anomaly, it may be a more frequent condition in the Turkish population. Further studies and research on the orientation of duplicated condylar heads should be carried out

Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Analyses of the Position and Course of the Mandibular Canal: Relevance to the Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy

Purpose. The aim of this study was to document the position and course of the mandibular canal through the region of the mandibular angle and body in dental patients, using cone beam computed tomographic imaging. Methods. The position and course of the mandibular canal from the region of the third molar to the first molar were measured at five specific locations in the same plane: at three different positions just between the first and second molars; between the second and third molars; and just distal to the third molar. Results. The study sample was composed of 500 hemimandibles from 250 dental patients with a mean age of 26.32. Significant differences were found between genders, distances, and positions. B decreased significantly from the anterior positions to the posterior positions in both females and males. The mean values of S and CB increased significantly from the posterior positions to the anterior positions in both females and males. Conclusion. Because the sagittal split ramus osteotomy is a technically difficult procedure, we hope that the findings of the present study will help the surgeon in choosing the safest surgical technique for the treatment of mandibular deformities

Bilateral bifid mandibular condyle: Report of a case with condylar fractures

Bifid mandibular condyle is an uncommon anatomic variation with a varied etiology implicated with its development. It can be symptomatic or the majority of the cases are diagnosed incidentally during radiographic examination. Bifid mandibular condyle may have a developmental origin or may occur secondary to trauma. The purpose of this paper is to report a case with bilateral bifid mandibular condyles associated with a history of condylar fractures presented with computed tomography and panoramic radiography findings

Assessment of the Visibility and Characteristics of the Mandibular Incisive Canal: Cone Beam Computed Tomography Versus Panoramic Radiography

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess and compare the visibility, diameter, and course of the mandibular incisive canal (MIC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiography. Materials and Methods: CBCT images and panoramic radiographs from 243 patients were used in this. study. Standard exposure and patient positioning protocols were used for all the patients. Both types of images were assessed by two dentomaxillofacial radiologists. The diameter and the endpoint level of the MID were measured using the CBCT images. Statistical analysis was performed using t tests in statistical software. Results: Of the 486 hemimandibles examined, the MIC was visible in 249 (51.2%) radiographs and 459 (94.4%) CBCT images. The mean diameters of the MICs were 1.91 +/- 0.45 mm on the right side and 1.94 +/- 0.41 mm on the left side. The MICs on both the right and left sides of the mandible showed statistically significant differences in diameter in male versus female patients. The visibility of the MIC on the panoramic radiographs according to the increase in the diameter was not statistically significant for both sides. Twenty MICs reached to the midline of the mandible, and the majority of the MICs (n = 114) terminated between the canine and the first premolar. Conclusion: The visibility of the MIC in CBCT is much better than that observed in conventional panoramic radiography. Even some large MICs could not be observed in panoramic radiographs. Detection of the MIC using CBCT may be crucial for surgical procedures involving the inter foraminal region

Morphometric analysis of the mental foramen in a Turkish population based on multi-slice computed tomography

Purpose : The aim of this study was to determine the location, orientation, shape, appearance, and area of the mental foramen (MF), as seen on CT images, and to compare our findings with international values. Materials and Methods : CT records were randomly selected from the collection of 550 Turkish patients and were evaluated morphometric analysis of the MF. Results : The most common anterior-posterior position of the MF was bilaterally symmetrical and located on the same vertical line with the long axis of the lower second premolar. The majority of foramina were round in shape, and the most frequent appearance was the continuous type. The most frequent (76%) superior-inferior position was situated below the level of the apices of mandibular premolar roots. Conclusions : The results of this study may assist surgeons to localize important maxillofacial neurovascular bundles passing through the MF in avoiding complication from local anesthetic, surgical, and other invasive procedures

An unusual peripheral osteoma of the mandibular notch: a case report with computed tomography evaluation

An osteoma, a slow-growing benign osseous neoplasm of the bone, is characterized by a proliferation of osteoblasts that form bone trabeculae in the connective tissue stroma. It is an uncommon condition that generally occurs in the maxillofacial bones. This neoplasm may be clinically silent for years without any symptoms. It is usually diagnosed when it becomes enlarged and is incidentally observed during a radiological examination. The radiographic characteristic of the lesion is a well circumscribed round or oval radiopaque mass. In this paper, we present a case of an unusual localization of a peripheral osteoma incidentally detected during radiographic examination with subsequent three-dimensional computed tomography evaluation

Diagnostic accuracy of cone-beam CT compared with panoramic images in predicting retromolar canal during extraction of impacted mandibular third molars

Objectives: The clinical significance of the existence of a retromolar canal and of its neurovascular content is not yet clear.The aim of the present study was to assess the visibility, diameter and course of the mandibular retromolarcanal (MRC) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan -had been taken for pre-operative radiographic evaluation of impacted mandibular third molars- compared to panoramic radiographs. Study Design: Subjects eligible for study enrollment were those who underwent preoperative CBCT scan for the extraction of impactedmandibular third molars were determined to be extremely close to the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs. Radiographs were screened for the presence and course of retromolar canals, and linear measurements. Results: 947hemimandibles in 632 patients were examined.A total of 253 MRCs (144 left, 109 right) were detected with CBCT images (26.7%). Only 29 of these canals were also seen on the corresponding panoramic radiographs. Most MRCs had a vertical course (type VI, 28.46%), followed by slightly curved (type I, 26.09%). The visibility of the MRC on the OPGs, according to the increase in the diameter, was not statistically significant for both sides ( p >.05).Statistically difference were found for the width at the point of origin from the mandibular canal ( p : .037), the mean distance from the MRC to the second molar ( p : .042) and height of MRC when compared the gender. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the MRC isn’t a rare anatomical structure. This study therefore clearly establishes the incidence and importance of the MRC. The detection of the presence of the MRC using CBCT may be crucial for extraction of mandibular third molar

A rare condition affecting the primary and permanent dentition: Dentin dysplasia type I

Dentin dysplasia type I is a genetic defect of dentin formation, which is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. In this anomaly, the teeth generally appear unremarkable with normal crowns; and it is characterized by normal appearing crowns, absence or severe restriction of root formation, obliterated pulp chambers, and periapical radiolucencies without an obvious cause. Clinically, the teeth can be poorly aligned, drifting and mobile, and can prematurely exfoliate due to abnormal root formation. This condition is rarely encountered in dental practice. Little is known about the specific treatment of this disorder and management of patients with dentin dysplasia has presented with problems. This report documents a rare case of DD type I in a 7-year-old girl and the clinical, radiographical and histopathological findings of this condition

Tetrafid mandibular condyle: a unique case report and review of the literature

Morphological changes such as bifid and trifid mandibular condyle are rare entities. The aim of the present report is to describe a unique morphological variation of the mandibular condyle which has four separate condylar heads (tetrafid mandibular condyle) and to discuss clinical and radiological differential diagnosis of tetrafid mandibular condyle with advanced imaging techniques. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2011) 40, 524-530. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/6208266

Anterior Stafne bone defect mimicking a residual cyst: a case report

Stafne bone defects (SBDs) are asymptomatic lingual bone depressions of the lower jaw that are frequently caused by soft tissue inclusion. The common variant of SBDs exists at the third molar region of the mandible below the inferior dental canal and has been mostly diagnosed incidentally during routine radiographic examination. The anterior variant of a SBD (ASBD) is relatively uncommon and is located in the premolar region of the mandible. Sublingual salivary glands are thought to be responsible for ASBDs. However, other structures such as lymphoid or vascular tissues might be associated with ASBDs. In the present report, an ASBD which was mimicking a residual cyst was diagnosed with the aid of a three-dimensional CT scan. ASBDs might be confused with other odontogenic or non-odontogenic pathologies because of their location and lower occurrence rate. Advanced imaging modalities, especially CT scans, are useful to assess such lesions in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2010) 39, 124-126. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/4932025