• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the intra- and inter-observer variability in linear measurements with axial images obtained by PreXion (PreXion Inc., San Mateo, USA) and i-CAT(Imaging Sciences International, Xoran Technologies Inc., Hatfield, USA) CBCT scanners, with different voxel sizes. Materials and Methods: A cylindrical object made from nylon with radiopaque markers (phantom) was scanned by i-CAT and PreXion 3D devices. For each axial image, measurements were taken twice in the horizontal(distance A-B) and vertical (distance C-D) directions, randomly, with a one-week interval between measurements, by four oral radiologists with five years or more experience in the use of these measuring tools. Results: All of the obtained linear measurements had lower values than those of the phantom. The statistical analysis showed high intra- and inter-observer reliability (p=0.297). Compared to the real measurements, the measurements obtained using the i-CAT device and PreXion tomography, on average, revealed absolute errors ranging from 0.22 to 0.59 mm and from 0.23 to 0.63 mm, respectively. Conclusion: It can be concluded that both scanners are accurate, although the linear measurements are underestimations, with no significant differences between the evaluators.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.301-306
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• 2019

Purpose: This report presents a procedure for performing power Doppler ultrasound-guided sialography using the phenomenon of increased blood flow and illustrates its application to practical patient cases. Materials and Methods: The salivary gland was scanned using ultrasound equipment (GE LOGIQ5 Expert^® device; GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA) to identify pathological findings related to the patient's chief complaint. To identify the orifice of the main duct, it should be cannulated using a lacrimal dilator. After inserting the catheter into the cannulated main duct, the position of the catheter within the duct was confirmed by ultrasound. A contrast agent was injected until the patient felt fullness, and ultrasound (B-mode) was used to confirm whether the contrast agent filled the main canal and secondary and tertiary ducts. Then, power Doppler ultrasound was performed to determine whether the salivary gland had increased blood flow. Results: In 2 cases in this report, a power Doppler ultrasound scan showed a significant increase in blood flow after contrast medium injection, which was not observed on a preoperative scan. Conclusion: Power Doppler ultrasound was found to be a simple, safe, and effective tool for real-time sialography monitoring.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2016

Purpose: In the present study, we coined the term 'alveolar dome' and aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of alveolar domes through digital periapical radiographs. Materials and Methods: This study examined 800 digital periapical radiographs in regard to the presence of alveolar domes. The periapical radiographs were acquired by a digital system using a photostimulable phosphor (PSP) plate. The ${\chi}^2$ test, with a significance level of 5%, was used to compare the prevalence of alveolar domes in the maxillary posterior teeth and, considering the same teeth, to verify the difference in the prevalence of dome-shaped phenomena between the roots. Results: The prevalence of alveolar domes present in the first pre-molars was statistically lower as compared to the other maxillary posterior teeth (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the prevalence of alveolar domes between the maxillary first and second molars. Considering the maxillary first and second molars, it was observed that the palatal root presented a lower prevalence of alveolar domes when compared to the distobuccal and mesiobuccal roots (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study coined the term 'alveolar dome', referring to the anatomical projection of the root into the floor of the maxillary sinus. The maxillary first and second molars presented a greater prevalence of alveolar domes, especially in the buccal roots, followed by the third molars and second pre-molars. Although the periapical radiograph is a two-dimensional method, it can provide dentists with the auxiliary information necessary to identify alveolar domes, thus improving diagnosis, planning, and treatment.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2006

Purpose : Bony strength is dependent on bone mass and bony structure. So this study was designed to investigate the relationship between the bone mass and bony trabecular characteristics. Subjects and Methods : Study subjects were 51 females (average age 68.6 years) and 20 males (average age 66.4 years). Bone mineral density (BMD, $grams/cm^2$) of proximal femur was measured by a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected from the digitized radiographs of proximal femur. A customized computer program processed morphologic operations (MO) of ROIs. 44 skeletal variables of MO were calculated from ROIs on the Ward's triangle and greater trochanter of femur. WHO BMD classes were predicted by MO variables of the same ROI. Classification and Regression Tree analysis was used for calculating weighted kappa values, sensitivity and specificity of MO. Results : The discriminating factors of morphologic operation were branch point, branch point [per cm sq]. Age also played important role in distinguishing osteoporotic classes. The sensitivity of MO at Ward's triangle and Greater Trochanter was 91.8%, 65.6%, respectively. The specificity of MO was 100% at Ward's triangle and Greater Trochanter. Conclusion : Bony trabecular characteristics obtained using radiological bone morphometric analysis seem to be related to bone mass.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2007

Purpose : The research was done to investigate the effectiveness of 2D bony morphometry and microstructure of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) on the osteoporotic bony change. We performed the bone morphometric analysis of proximal femur in ovariectomized rabbits with BMD and micro-CT examination. Materials and Methods : Twenty-one female (Newzealand, about 16 weeks old, 2.9-3.4kg) rabbits were used. Three rabbits were sacrificed on the day when experiment began (Baseline). The remaining 18 rabbits were divided into two groups. One group was ovariectomized bilaterally (OVX) and the other animals were subjected to sham operation (Sham). Bone specimens were obtained from the right and left femur of sacrificed rabbits. At intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 months respectively, BMD tests were performed on the proximal femur by using PIXlmus 2 (GE Lunar Co. USA), 2-dimensional bone morphometric analysis by custome computer program and 2D/3D bone structure analysis by micro-CT (Skyscan 1072, Antwerpen, Belgium). Statistical analysis was carried out for the correlation between bone morphometry, micro-CT and BMD Result : BV/TV, Tb.Th, Tb.N of micro-CT parameters showed higher values in sham group than OVX group. N.Nd/Ar.RI, N.NdNd, N.NdTm, N. TmTm, PmB/Ar.RI, 3-D BoxSlope of 2D morphometric parameters showed higher values in Sham group than OVX group. The micro-CT parameters of Tb.Sp, Tb.N were statistically significant correlated with BMD respectively. Several 2D morphometric parameters were statistically significant correlated with BMD respectively. Conclusion : Several parameters of 2D bony morphometry and micro-CT showed effective aspects on the osteoporotic bony change.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2005

Purpose : To reveal what is the distinct differential diagnostic differences between unicystic ameloblastoma and solid or multicystic ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods : 56 cases of ameloblastoma were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated among the patients who had taken CT scans at the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology in Yonsei University Dental Hospital from January 1996 to December 2003. Results : In 56 cases, 21 cases $(37.5\%)$ were unicystic ameloblastoma, 35 cases $(62.5\%)$ were solid or multicystic ameloblastoma. Only 1 case $(4.8\%)$ of unicystic ameloblastoma and 4 cases $(11.4\%)$ of solid or multicystic ameloblastoma were occurred in maxilla. 13 cases $(61.9\%)$ of unicystic ameloblastoma were observed as unilocular, and 8 cases $(38.1\%)$ as lobulated. 5 cases $(14.3\%)$ of solid or multicystic ameloblastoma were observed as unilocular, 13 cases $(37.1\%)$ as lobulated, and 17 cases $(48.6\%)$ as multilocular. Tn the results from the measurements after correction of the buccolingual widths and heights to the mesiodistal lengths, there is a statistically significant difference between unicystic ameloblastoma and solid or multicystic ameloblastoma in ANCOVA test (p<0.05). Hounsfield units in the lesion were $24.9{\pm}8.8\;HU$ in unicystic ameloblastoma, $31.2{\pm}11.5\;HU$ in solid or multicystic ameloblastoma. There is no statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion : Characteristic differences between unicystic ameloblastoma and solid or multicystic ameloblastoma is that there is higher prevalence of solid or multicystic ameloblastoma that have lobulated or multilocular patterns. To measure the Hounsfield units in the lesion is helpful, but it is not a differential diagnostic point between unicystic ameloblastoma and solid or multicystic ameloblastoma.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the coordinates of anatomical landmarks on cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) images in varied head positions before and after reorientation using image analysis software. Materials and Methods: CBCT images were taken in a normal position and four varied head positions using a dry skull marked with 3 points where gutta percha was fixed. In each of the five radiographic images, reference points were set, 20 anatomical landmarks were identified, and each set of coordinates was calculated. Coordinates in the images from the normally positioned head were compared with those in the images obtained from varied head positions using statistical methods. Post-reorientation coordinates calculated using a three-dimensional image analysis program were also compared to the reference coordinates. Results: In the original images, statistically significant differences were found between coordinates in the normal-position and varied-position images. However, post-reorientation, no statistically significant differences were found between coordinates in the normal-position and varied-position images. Conclusion: The changes in head position impacted the coordinates of the anatomical landmarks in three-dimensional images. However, reorientation using image analysis software allowed accurate superimposition onto the reference positions.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.137-142
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of ultrasonography in detection of bone defects and new bone formation. Materials and Methods : Experimental bony defects were prepared on the parietal bone samples acquired from 3.5 kg New Zealand male rabbits. The defects were evaluated using ultrasonography and CBCT, and examined histologically at interval of 1, 3, 6, and 8 weeks. Results : Ultrasonograph demonstrated hyperechogenicity in the defect area at 3 weeks and broadened hyperechogenicity from the margin of bone defect at 6 and 8 weeks due to new bone formation. On the CBCT images, new bone formation was first observed at 3 weeks around the margin of the defect, and showed gradually increase at 6 and 8 weeks. Histologic findings revealed existence of the fibroblasts and fibrous connective tissue with abundant capillary vessels only at 1 week, but osteoid tissue and newly formed trabecular bone at 3 weeks. Bone remodeling in the defect area was observed at 6 weeks and increased calcification and dense trabecular bone formation was observed at 8 weeks. Conclusions : Ultrasonograph proved to be a very useful diagnostic tool in detecting the bony defect and new bone formation. Additionally, ultrasonography provided valuable information regarding the blood supply around the defect area.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.393-398
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• 2022

Purpose: This study proposed a generative adversarial network (GAN) model for T2-weighted image (WI) synthesis from proton density (PD)-WI in a temporomandibular joint(TMJ) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. Materials and Methods: From January to November 2019, MRI scans for TMJ were reviewed and 308 imaging sets were collected. For training, 277 pairs of PD- and T2-WI sagittal TMJ images were used. Transfer learning of the pix2pix GAN model was utilized to generate T2-WI from PD-WI. Model performance was evaluated with the structural similarity index map (SSIM) and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) indices for 31 predicted T2-WI (pT2). The disc position was clinically diagnosed as anterior disc displacement with or without reduction, and joint effusion as present or absent. The true T2-WI-based diagnosis was regarded as the gold standard, to which pT2-based diagnoses were compared using Cohen's ĸ coefficient. Results: The mean SSIM and PSNR values were 0.4781(±0.0522) and 21.30(±1.51) dB, respectively. The pT2 protocol showed almost perfect agreement(ĸ=0.81) with the gold standard for disc position. The number of discordant cases was higher for normal disc position (17%) than for anterior displacement with reduction (2%) or without reduction (10%). The effusion diagnosis also showed almost perfect agreement(ĸ=0.88), with higher concordance for the presence (85%) than for the absence (77%) of effusion. Conclusion: The application of pT2 images for a TMJ MRI protocol useful for diagnosis, although the image quality of pT2 was not fully satisfactory. Further research is expected to enhance pT2 quality.

• 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.