• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the influence of voxel size and the accuracy of 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) systems in the detection of vertical root fracture (VRF) in the presence of intracanal metallic posts. Materials and Methods: Thirty uniradicular extracted human teeth were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups(VRF group, n=15; and control group, n=15). The VRFs were induced by an Instron machine, and metallic posts were placed in both groups. The scans were acquired by CBCT with 4 different voxel sizes: 0.1 mm and 0.16 mm (for the Eagle 3D V-Beam system) and 0.125 mm and 0.2 mm (for the i-CAT system) (protocols 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Interobserver and intraobserver agreement was assessed using the Cohen kappa test. Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated and receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed. Results: The intraobserver coefficients indicated good (0.71) to very good (0.83) agreement, and the interobserver coefficients indicated moderate (0.57) to very good (0.80) agreement. In respect to the relationship between sensitivity and specificity, a statistically significant difference was found between protocols 1 (positive predictive value: 0.710, negative predictive value: 0.724) and 3 (positive predictive value: 0.727, negative predictive value: 0.632) (P<.05). The least interference due to artifact formation was observed using protocol 2. Conclusion: Protocols with a smaller voxel size and field of view seemed to favor the detection of VRF in teeth with intracanal metallic posts.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.844-853
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the learning curve for C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) virtual navigation-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) and to determine the amount of experience needed to develop appropriate skills for this procedure using cumulative summation (CUSUM). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2042 CBCT virtual navigation-guided PTNBs performed by 7 novice operators between March 2011 and December 2014. Learning curves for CBCT virtual navigation-guided PTNB with respect to its diagnostic performance and the occurrence of biopsy-related pneumothorax were analyzed using standard and risk-adjusted CUSUM (RA-CUSUM). Acceptable failure rates were determined as 0.06 for diagnostic failure and 0.25 for PTNB-related pneumothorax. Results: Standard CUSUM indicated that 6 of the 7 operators achieved an acceptable diagnostic failure rate after a median of 105 PTNB procedures (95% confidence interval [CI], 14-240), and 6 of the operators achieved acceptable pneumothorax occurrence rate after a median of 79 PTNB procedures (95% CI, 27-155). RA-CUSUM showed that 93 (95% CI, 39-142) and 80 (95% CI, 38-127) PTNB procedures were required to achieve acceptable diagnostic performance and pneumothorax occurrence, respectively. Conclusion: The novice operators' skills in performing CBCT virtual navigation-guided PTNBs improved with increasing experience over a wide range of learning periods.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.269-279
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• 2016

Objective: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is used to expand the maxilla and increase arch perimeter; yet, there are few reports on its effects on the sphenoid bone. With cone-beam computed topography (CBCT), it is possible to visualize sphenoid bone changes. The purpose of this study was to investigate sphenoid bone changes observed in conjunction with RME treatments, using CBCT. Methods: Sixty patients (34 women and 26 men, aged 11-17 years) underwent RME as part of their orthodontic treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a tooth-anchored group, a bone-anchored group, or a control group. Initial CBCT scans were performed preceding the RME treatment ($T_1$) and again directly after the completion of expansion ($T_2$). Statistical analysis included ANOVA, descriptive statistics, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The reliability of the landmark location was at least 0.783, and the largest ICC mean measurement error was 2.32 mm. With regard to distances, the largest change was 0.78 mm, which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Statistical significance was established in patient groups of the same sex and treatment type for the following distance measurements: right anterior lateral pterygoid plate to the right edge of the hypophyseal fossa ($d_2$), anterior distance between the medial pterygoid plates ($d_4$), and anterior distance between the left medial and lateral plates ($d_8$). Conclusions: In this study, there were no clinically significant changes in the sphenoid bone due to RME treatments regardless of sex or treatment type.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the condylar position in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) and a normal group by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In the TMD group, 25 patients (5 men and 20 women) were randomly selected among the ones suffering from TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). The control group consisted of 25 patients (8 men and 17 women) with normal temporomandibular joints (TMJs) who were referred to the radiology department in order to undergo CBCT scanning for implant treatment in the posterior maxilla. Linear measurements from the superior, anterior, and posterior joint spaces between the condyle and glenoid fossa were made through defined landmarks in the sagittal view. The inclination of articular eminence was also determined. Results: The mean anterior joint space was 2.3 mm in the normal group and 2.8 mm in the TMD group, respectively. The results showed that there was a significant correlation between the superior and posterior joint spaces in both the normal and TMD groups, but it was only in the TMD group that the correlation coefficient among the dimensions of anterior and superior spaces was significant. There was a significant correlation between the inclination of articular eminence and the size of the superior and posterior spaces in the normal group. Conclusion: The average dimension of the anterior joint space was different between the two groups. CBCT could be considered a useful diagnostic imaging modality for TMD patients.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the upper airway dimensions of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and control subjects using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) unit commonly applied in clinical practice in order to assess airway dimensions in the same fashion as that routinely employed in a clinical setting. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis utilizing existing CBCT scans to evaluate the dimensions of the upper airway in OSA and control subjects. The CBCT data of sixteen OSA and sixteen control subjects were compared. The average area, average volume, total volume, and total length of the upper airway were computed. Width and anterior-posterior (AP) measurements were obtained on the smallest axial slice. Results: OSA subjects had a significantly smaller average airway area, average airway volume, total airway volume, and mean airway width. OSA subjects had a significantly larger airway length measurement. The mean A-P distance was not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: OSA subjects have a smaller upper airway compared to controls with the exception of airway length. The lack of a significant difference in the mean A-P distance may indicate that patient position during imaging (upright vs. supine) can affect this measurement. Comparison of this study with a future prospective study design will allow for validation of these results.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Purpose: The classification of impacted maxillary third molars(IMTMs) facilitates interdisciplinary communication and helps estimate the degree of surgical difficulty. Thus, this study aimed to develop a 3-dimensional classification of the position and depth of impaction of IMTMs and to estimate their prevalence with respect to gender and age. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study analyzed images in sagittal and coronal cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) sections of 300 maxillary third molars. The proposed classification was based on 3 criteria: buccolingual position (buccal, lingual, or central), mesial-distal position (mesioangular, vertical, or distoangular), and depth of impaction (low, medium, or high). CBCT images of IMTMs were classified, and the associations of the classifications with gender and age were examined using analysis of variance with the Scheffe post-hoc test. To determine the associations among the 3 classifications, the chi-square test was used (P<.05). Results: No significant association of the classifications with gender was observed. Age showed a significant relationship with depth of impaction (P=.0001) and mesial-distal position (P=.005). The most common positions were buccal(n=222), vertical(n=184), and low (n=124). Significant associations among the 3 tested classifications were observed. Conclusion: CBCT enabled the evaluation of IMTMs in a 3-dimensional format, and we developed a proposal for a new classification of the position and depth of impaction of IMTMs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.39.1-39.12
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence and characteristics of external cervical resorption (ECR) regarding sex, age, tooth, stages of progression, and portal of entry, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Materials and Methods: CBCT scans of 1,313 patients from a Brazilian subpopulation comprising 883 female and 430 male patients (mean age, 55.2 years), acquired using a PreXion 3D CBCT unit, were evaluated. All permanent teeth included in the scans were evaluated for the presence of ECR according to the 3-dimensional classification and the portal of entry. The association between the presence of ECR and the factors studied was assessed using the χ² test. Intra-observer agreement was analyzed with the kappa test (α = 0.05). Results: In total, 6,240 teeth were analyzed, of which 84 (1.35%) were affected by ECR. A significant association was found between the presence of ECR and sex, with a higher prevalence in male patients (p = 0.002). The most frequently affected teeth were the mandibular and maxillary central incisors. The most common height was the mid-third of the root. For the portal of entry, 44% of cases were on the proximal surfaces, 40.5% on the lingual/palatal surface and 15.5% on the buccal surface. Intra-observer agreement was excellent. Conclusions: The prevalence of ECR was 1.35%, with a higher prevalence in male patients and a wide age distribution. The mandibular and maxillary central incisors were the most commonly affected teeth, and cases of ECR most frequently showed a height into the mid-third of the root and proximal entry.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of varying resolutions of cone-beam computed tomography images on the accuracy of linear measurements of edentulous areas in human cadaver heads. Intact cadaver heads were used to simulate a clinical situation. Materials and Methods: Fiduciary markers were placed in the edentulous areas of 4 intact embalmed cadaver heads. The heads were scanned with two different CBCT units using a large field of view ($13cm{\times}16cm$) and small field of view ($5cm{\times}8cm$) at varying voxel sizes (0.3 mm, 0.2 mm, and 0.16 mm). The ground truth was established with digital caliper measurements. The imaging measurements were then compared with caliper measurements to determine accuracy. Results: The Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed no statistically significant difference between the medians of the physical measurements obtained with calipers and the medians of the CBCT measurements. A comparison of accuracy among the different imaging protocols revealed no significant differences as determined by the Friedman test. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.961, indicating excellent reproducibility. Inter-observer variability was determined graphically with a Bland-Altman plot and by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient. The Bland-Altman plot indicated very good reproducibility for smaller measurements but larger discrepancies with larger measurements. Conclusion: The CBCT-based linear measurements in the edentulous sites using different voxel sizes and FOVs are accurate compared with the direct caliper measurements of these sites. Higher resolution CBCT images with smaller voxel size did not result in greater accuracy of the linear measurements.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.373-382
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• 2021

Purpose: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) reconstructions were analysed to elucidate factors affecting the anatomical relationship between tooth roots and the mandibular canal(MC). Materials and Methods: Images of 300 volumetric tomography scans of patients aged between 20 and 79 years old (167 women and 133 men) were analysed. The mean distances between 2,053 dental root apices and the internal border of the MC were obtained by measuring the horizontal and vertical distances on coronal CBCT images. The actual distance was then calculated mathematically with the Pythagorean formula. The statistical significance of differences between men and women was assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations with patient age were evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results: The mean distances ranged from 2.17 mm, for single right third molar roots in women, to 8.02 mm for single left third molar mesiolingual roots in men. The mean distances measured for the mandibular right second molar mesial roots and the right second premolar roots were larger in men than in women. Age showed a significant positive correlation with the measured distances for mesial and distal roots of the first and second molar on both sides and the right third molar, mesiolingual roots of the left third molar, and single roots of the right third molar. Conclusion: The root-to-mandibular canal distance depended on age and the type of tooth. In 2 root types, this distance was impacted by sex.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2013

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities, with an estimated frequency among female live births of 1/2,000-3,000. The syndrome is characterized by the partial or complete absence of one X chromosome (45,X karyotype). We reported a unique case of a 40-year-old woman with TS accompanying unexpected elongated styloid process specific to Eagle syndrome (ES) and followed up-prolactinoma. The present article is the first report to define the cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) features of TS accompanying ES. Patients with TS carry various risks that make treatment more complicated; thus advanced imaging techniques for proper treatment and follow-up are extremely important. In the light of CBCT examination, craniofacial abnormalities specific to TS and accompanying syndromes such as the crowding of teeth especially in the maxillary anterior region caused by maxillary narrowness, micrognatic maxilla and mandible, relative mandibular retrusion, malocclusion, open-bite, and an elongated styloid process (length of 32.7 mm) on the right side were illustrated in detail.