• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.199-207
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• 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and effectiveness of an artificial intelligence (AI) program in identifying dental conditions using panoramic radiographs(PRs), as well as to assess the appropriateness of its treatment recommendations. Materials and Methods: PRs from 100 patients(representing 4497 teeth) with known clinical examination findings were randomly selected from a university database. Three dentomaxillofacial radiologists and the Diagnocat AI software evaluated these PRs. The evaluations were focused on various dental conditions and treatments, including canal filling, caries, cast post and core, dental calculus, fillings, furcation lesions, implants, lack of interproximal tooth contact, open margins, overhangs, periapical lesions, periodontal bone loss, short fillings, voids in root fillings, overfillings, pontics, root fragments, impacted teeth, artificial crowns, missing teeth, and healthy teeth. Results: The AI demonstrated almost perfect agreement (exceeding 0.81) in most of the assessments when compared to the ground truth. The sensitivity was very high (above 0.8) for the evaluation of healthy teeth, artificial crowns, dental calculus, missing teeth, fillings, lack of interproximal contact, periodontal bone loss, and implants. However, the sensitivity was low for the assessment of caries, periapical lesions, pontic voids in the root canal, and overhangs. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of this study, the synthesized data suggest that AI-based decision support systems can serve as a valuable tool in detecting dental conditions, when used with PR for clinical dental applications.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.345-353
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• 2023

Purpose: The objective of this study was to propose a method for developing a clinical phantom to reproduce various diseases that are clinically prevalent in the field of dentistry. This could facilitate diverse clinical research without unnecessarily exposing patients to radiation. Materials and Methods: This study utilized a single dry skull, which was visually and radiographically examined to evaluate its condition. Existing lesions on the dry skull were preserved, and other relevant lesions were artificially created as necessary. These lesions were then documented using intraoral radiography and cone-beam computed tomography. Once all pre-existing and reproduced lesions were confirmed by the consensus of 2 oral and maxillofacial radiologists, the skull was embedded in a soft tissue substitute. To validate the process, cone-beam computed tomography scans and panoramic radiographs were obtained of the fabricated phantom. All acquired images were subsequently evaluated. Results: Most lesions could be identified on panoramic radiographs, although some sialoliths and cracked teeth were confirmed only through cone-beam computed tomographic images. A small gap was observed between the epoxy resin and the bone structures. However, 2 oral and maxillofacial radiologists agreed that this space did not meaningfully impact the interpretation process. Conclusion: The newly developed phantom has potential for use as a standardized phantom within the dental field. It may be utilized for a variety of imaging studies, not only for optimization purposes, but also for addressing other experimental issues related to both 2- and 3-dimensional diagnostic radiography.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2024

Purpose: The aims of this study were to create a deep learning model to distinguish between nasopalatine duct cysts (NDCs), radicular cysts, and no-lesions (normal) in the midline region of the anterior maxilla on panoramic radiographs and to compare its performance with that of dental residents. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with a confirmed diagnosis of NDC (53 men, 47 women; average age, 44.6±16.5 years), 100 with radicular cysts (49 men, 51 women; average age, 47.5±16.4 years), and 100 with normal groups (56 men, 44 women; average age, 34.4±14.6 years) were enrolled in this study. Cases were randomly assigned to the training datasets (80%) and the test dataset (20%). Then, 20% of the training data were randomly assigned as validation data. A learning model was created using a customized DetectNet built in Digits version 5.0 (NVIDIA, Santa Clara, USA). The performance of the deep learning system was assessed and compared with that of two dental residents. Results: The performance of the deep learning system was superior to that of the dental residents except for the recall of radicular cysts. The areas under the curve (AUCs) for NDCs and radicular cysts in the deep learning system were significantly higher than those of the dental residents. The results for the dental residents revealed a significant difference in AUC between NDCs and normal groups. Conclusion: This study showed superior performance in detecting NDCs and radicular cysts and in distinguishing between these lesions and normal groups.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2000

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare radiographic techniques for the diagnostic accuracy in the detection of osteophytes of the mandibular condyle. Material and Methods : A series of bone chips were placed at four locations on the condylar head of a dried human skull. Eight radiographic techniques such as panoramic, transcranial, infracranial, transorbital, reverse-Towne's, submentovertex, multidirectional tomographic and computed tomographic techniques were compared. Three oral radiologists were asked to rate the lesions by four stage score. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA test. Results: For the detection of lateral osteophyte, transcranial, infracranial, transorbital and reverse-Towne' s views showed superiority. Also, transcranial and infracranial views showed superiority for medial osteophyte. While for the detection of superior and anterior osteophyte, panoramic, transcranial, infracranial, transorbital views showed superiority. Lateral tomograph showed superiority for the detection of superior and anterior osteophyte, but it showed inferiority for lateral and medial osteophyte. And antero-posterior tomograph showed superiority for the detection of all osteophytes. Axial computed tomograph showed superiority for the detection of all osteophytes, and coronal computed tomograph showed superiority for lateral, medial and superior osteophytes. While reconstructed sagittal computed tomograph showed relatively superiority for the detection of anterior and superior osteophytes. Conclusion : The conventional radiographs can be used for the detection of bony changes of the mandibular condyle, and tomograph or computed tomograph can be used additionally when it is difficult to detect bony changes on conventional radiographs.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the radiographic change of operation sites after orthognathic surgery using the digital image processing and fractal analysis. Materials and Methods : A series of panoramic radiographs of thirty-five randomly selected patients who had undergone mandibular orthognathic surgery (bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy) without clinical complication for osseous healing, were taken. The panoramic radiographs of each selected patient were taken at pre-operation (stage 0), 1 or 2 days after operation (stage 1), 1 month after operation (stage 2), 6 months after operation (stage 3), and 12 months after operation (stage 4). The radiographs were digitized at 600 dpi, 8 bit, and 256 gray levels. The region of interest, centered on the bony gap area of the operation site, was selected and the fractal dimension was calculated by using the tile-counting method. The mean values and standard deviations of fractal dimension for each stage were calculated and the differences among stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were evaluated through repeated measures of the ANOVA and paired t-test. Results : The mean values and standard deviations of the fractal dimensions obtained from stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 1.658±0.048, 1.580±0.050, 1.607±0.046, 1.624±0.049, and 1.641 ±0.061, respectively. The fractal dimensions from stage 1 to stage 4 were shown to have a tendency to increase (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The tendency of the fractal dimesion to increase relative to healing time may be a useful means of evaluating post-operative bony healing of the osteotomy site.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.287-294
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was performed to analyze the clinical and imaging features of contemporary osteomyelitis(OM) and to investigate differences in these features on panoramic radiography according to patients' history of use of medication affecting bone metabolism. Materials and Methods: The records of 364 patients(241 female and 123 male, average age 66.8±14.9 years) with OM were retrospectively reviewed. Panoramic imaging features were analyzed and compared between patients with medication-related OM(m-OM) and those with conventional, medication-unrelated OM(c-OM). Results: The age of onset of OM tended to be high, with the largest number of patients experiencing onset in their 70s. The 2 most frequent presumed causes were antiresorptive medication use (44.2%) and odontogenic origin (34.6%). On panoramic radiographs, a mix of osteolysis and sclerosis was the most common lesion pattern observed (68.6%). Sequestrum, extraction socket, and periosteal new bone formation were found in 143(42.1%), 79 (23.2%), and 24 (7.1%) cases, respectively. The m-OM group exhibited sequestrum and extraction socket more frequently and displayed significantly higher mandibular cortical index values than the c-OM group. Conclusion: We observed some differences in imaging features as shown on panoramic radiography according to the history of antiresorptive medication use. This study may help elucidate the predictive imaging features of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the reliability of 7 panoramic radiographic signs for predicting proximity of the root apices of mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal using cone-beam computed tomography and to correlate these findings with the Pell and Gregory and the Winter classification systems. Materials and Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on 74 patients with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars. Four panoramic radiographic signs were observed in the tooth root (darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root apices, and bifid apices), and another 3 in the mandibular canal (diversion, narrowing, and interruption of the mandibular canal). Cone-beam computed tomography images were analyzed to identify disruption and diversion of the mandibular canal and root deflection. Results: Binary logistic regression showed that only 4 of the 7 panoramic radiographic signs were able to predict proximity of the root apices of the mandibular third molars to the mandibular canal: darkening of the root, deflection of the root, narrowing of the root, and interruption of the mandibular canal(P<0.05). Conclusion: Darkening, deflection, and narrowing of the root, in tandem with the interruption of the mandibular canal on panoramic radiographs, indicate that cone-beam computed tomography should be performed when planning the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. Proximity between mandibular third molars and the mandibular canal is correlated with the Winter classification.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.504-510
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of antral septa and the accuracy of panoramic radiograph in identifying maxillary sinus septa. In addition, when panoramic radiograph led to a false diagnosis of more than majority, we analyzed findings of the panoramic radiograph. Patients and methods: This study included 180 patients who were radiographically examined before the surgery was done using both panoramic and computerized tomographic radiographs(CT scan), Samsung Medical Center from April 2003 to March 2006, and examined the incidence of antral septa, the false diagnosis rate of panoramic radiograph, and radiographic characters in case of false diagnosis. Only those bone lamellae were considered as septa that showed a height of at least 3.0mm. It was thus possible to exclude the alveolar recess. One oral and maxillofacial surgeon(OMFS) determined the presence or absence of sinus septa in CT scan, and five OMFS determined the presence or absence of sinus septa in panoramic radiograph. Results: The septa were observed in 81 of 360 sinuses(22.5%). All septa were oriented in a buccopalatal plane. More or less greater prevalence was observed in the second molar region(38.2%) but no predominant location was found. Panoramic radiograph led to false diagnosed septa in 361 of 1800 cases(20.1%). In case of false diagnosis of more than majority, superimposed image on zygomatic process was 44.1%, faint image in the region not related to sinus lifting 26.5%, faint image in the region related to sinus lifting 17.6%, and misconception for superimposed image 11.8% Conclusion: In this study we could get clinico-anatomical information of septum in the maxillary sinus. Compared to CT scan, panoramic radiograph can not clearly differentiate the sinus septa, but we consider that panoramic radiograph may improve its usefulness if we take additional modified panoramic radiograph and clinical exam.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.199-204
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• 2001

Purpose : To assess the relationship between soft tissue asymmetry and bone tissue asymmetry using the standardized photographs and the posteroanterior (PA) cephalometric radiographs in mandibular asymmetric patients. And to clarify that the lack of morphologic balance among different skeletal components can often be masked by compensatory soft tissue contributions. Methods: Experimental group consisted of 58 patients whose chief complaints were facial asymmetry, they were taken with standardized facial photographs and PA cephalometric radiographs. Control group consisted of 30 persons in the normal occlusion. The reproducibility of the facial photograph was confirmed by model test. The differences of fractional vertical heightand horizontal width from standardized facial photographs and PA cephalometric radiographs were compared and analyzed. Results: The difference of fractional vertical bone height was 0.63 and fractional vertical soft height was 0.58 in control group, 3.10 and 2.01 in asymmetric group, respectively. The difference of fractional horizontal bone width was 0.52 and fractional horizontal soft width was 0.70 in control group, 2.51 and 1.70 in asymmetric group, respectively. Both soft and bone tissue showed significant difference between control and asymmetric group (p<0.05). The difference of bone tissue was greater than that of soft tissue (p<0.05) in the experimental group but, not in control group. Conclusions: Soft tissue components may compensate for underlying skeletal imbalances.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.41
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• pp.6.1-6.10
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• 2019

Background: Osteomyelitis is an intraosseous inflammatory disease characterized by progressive inflammatory osteoclasia and ossification. The use of quantitative analysis to assist interpretation of osteomyelitis is increasingly being considered. The objective of this study was to perform early diagnosis of osteomyelitis on digital panoramic radiographs using basic functions provided by picture archiving and communication system (PACS), a program used to show radiographic images. Methods: This study targeted a total of 95 patients whose symptoms were confirmed as osteomyelitis under clinical, radiologic, pathological diagnosis over 11 years from 2008 to 2017. Five categorized patients were osteoradionecrosis, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of jaw (BRONJ, suppurative and sclerosing type), and bacterial osteomyelitis (suppurative and sclerosing type), and the control group was 117 randomly sampled. The photographic density in a certain area of the digital panoramic radiograph was determined and compared using the "measure area rectangle," one of the basic PACS functions in INFINITT PACS^® (INFINITT Healthcare, Seoul, South Korea). A conditional inference tree, one type of decision making tree, was generated with the program R for statistical analysis with SPSS^®. Results: In the conditional inference tree generated from the obtained data, cases where the difference in average value exceeded 54.49 and the difference in minimum value was less than 54.49 and greater than 12.81 and the difference in minimum value exceeded 39 were considered suspicious of osteomyelitis. From these results, the disease could be correctly classified with a probability of 88.1%. There was no difference in photographic density value of BRONJ and bacterial osteomyelitis; therefore, it was not possible to classify BRONJ and bacterial osteomyelitis by quantitative analysis of panoramic radiographs based on existing research. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that it is feasible to measure photographic density using a basic function in PACS and apply the data to assist in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.