• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.262-269
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• 2023

Objectives: Anterior maxillary sinus wall fractures are common in all types of maxillofacial trauma. They can result in various complications, including injury to the surrounding nerves. Owing to its anatomy, trauma to the maxillary antrum can result in injury to the middle superior alveolar nerve (MSAN) and the anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN). The purpose of this study is to evaluate neurosensory deficits (NSD) present in maxillary gingiva, incisors, and premolars after injury to the anterior wall of the maxillary antrum. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 39 patients sustaining unilateral fractures of the anterior maxillary sinus wall. Clinical neurosensory tests including two-point discrimination and fine touch discrimination were performed to classify the extent of nerve injuries as mild, moderate, severe, or anesthetic. Additional temperature discrimination and pulpal sensibility tests (electric pulp testing and cold testing) were carried out. A comparison of radiographic fracture patterns and severity of nerve injury was done. Testing was carried out immediately after trauma and at 2-month follow-up. Results: More than half of the patients assessed in the study group presented with NSD of the teeth and gingiva after trauma. The incidence of deficits varied with the type of test used to measure them. Most frequently, patients presented with both loss of two point as well as fine touch discrimination thresholds. Severe nerve injuries were associated with loss of temperature discrimination clinically and displaced fractures radiographically. There was no significant relationship between the recovery of pulpal and gingival sensation. The patterns of injury and recovery in ASAN and MSAN were similar. Conclusion: NSD after trauma to the maxillary antrum is relatively common. Clinical loss of temperature discrimination and radiographic signs of fracture lines passing through the canalis sinuosus are predictors of persistent and severe oral NSD.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2002

Purpose: To evaluate the degree of accuracy of DentaScan reformatted images of the maxillary sinus and periapical, periodontal lesions and to clarify the usefulness of the reconstructed 3-dimensional images to the dental clinical aspects. Materials and Methods: 33 sides of maxillae of the hemi-sectioned Korean heads were used in this study. Periapical radiographs, computed tomography and DentaScan reformatted cross-sectional images were taken for the radiographic evaluation of the peiapical and peiodontal lesions of the maxillary teeth and inferior wall of maxillary sinus. Results : Compared the degree of accuracy and findings of dental and periapical pathoses on the intraoral radiographs and DentaScan reformatted images with the cross-sectioned specimens, the DentaScan reformatted cross-sectional images were more accurate and more effective than the intraoral radiography with a viewpoint of the detection of dental and periapical pathoses. Conclusion: Comparing the lesions of specimens with intraoral radiographies and DentaScan reformatted images, the dental and periodontal pathoses and topographical structures were more clearly observed in the DentaScan reformatted images, providing the possibility of more applications of reformatted images to clinical dentistry.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2017

Purpose: Insufficient knowledge of the anatomy of the maxillary sinuses prior to sinus graft surgery may lead to perioperative or postoperative complications. This study sought to characterize the position of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) within the maxillary sinuses using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 300 patients with edentulous posterior maxillae, including 138 females and 162 males with an age range of 33-86 years, who presented to a radiology clinic between 2013 and 2015 were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The distance from the inferior border of the PSAA to the alveolar crest according to the residual ridge classification by Lekholm and Zarb, the distance from the PSAA to the nasal septum and zygomatic arch, and the diameter and position of the PSAA were all assessed on patients' CBCT scans. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and the t-test. Results: The PSAA was detected on the CBCT scans of 87% of the patients; it was located beneath the sinus membrane in 47% of cases and was intraosseous in 47% of cases. The diameter of the artery was between 1 and 2 mm in most patients (72%). The mean diameter of the artery was $1.29{\pm}0.39mm$, and the mean distances from the PSAA to the zygomatic arch, nasal septum, and alveolar crest were $22.59{\pm}4.89mm$, $26.51{\pm}3.52mm$, and $16.7{\pm}3.96mm$, respectively. Conclusion: The likelihood of detecting the PSAA on CBCT scans is high; its location is intraosseous or beneath the sinus membrane in most patients. Determining the exact location of the PSAA on CBCT scans preoperatively can help prevent it from being damaged during surgery.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.69-71
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• 2013

The maxillary sinus appeared first among the sinuses of the skull at 92 days of prenatal stage. The early formation of frontal sinus was observed at 157 days in the cranial most part of the frontal bone while the early formation of palatine sinus was observed at 170 days. A total of five fontanelles were observed in prenatal skulls of buffalo. The largest and unpaired fontanelle was anterior fontanelle. The mastoid and sphenoidal fontanelle were paired. The ossification of anterior fontanelle was first observed at 164 days. All the fontanelles were ossified completely prenatally.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.200-204
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• 2023

Although in counterpart, the sphenopalatine artery (SPA), has been well described in the medical literature, the sphenopalatine vein (SPV) has received scant attention. Therefore, the present anatomical study was performed. Additionally, we discuss the variations, embryology, and clinical significance of the SPV. Adult cadaveric specimens underwent dissection of the SPV. In addition, some specimens were submitted for histological analysis of this structure. The SPV was found to drain from the sphenoidal sinus and nasal septum. Small tributaries traveled through the nasal septum with the posterior septal branches of the SPA and nasopalatine nerve. The SPA and SPV were found to travel through the sphenopalatine foramen and another tributary was found to perforate the medial plate of the pterygoid process and to connect to the pterygoid venous plexus which traveled lateral to the medial plate of the pterygoid process. The vein traveled through the posterior part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity with the posterior lateral nasal branches of the SPA and the lateral superior posterior nasal branches of the maxillary nerve. To our knowledge, this is the first anatomical study on the SPV in humans. Data on the SPV provides an improved anatomical understanding of the vascular network of the nasal cavity. Developing a more complete picture of the nasal cavity and its venous supply might help surgeons and clinicians better manage clinical entities such as posterior epistaxis, cavernous sinus infections, and perform endoscopic surgery with fewer complications.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.249-255
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• 2022

Background: Sexual dimorphism is important for sex determination in the field of forensics. However, sexual dimorphism is commonly assessed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) rather than three-dimensional (3D) modeling software; therefore, studies using a more accurate measurement approach are necessary. This study assessed the sexual dimorphism of the MS using a 3D modeling program to obtain information that could contribute to the fields of surgery and forensics. Methods: The CBCT data of 60 patients (age, 20~29 y; 30 males and 30 females) admitted to the Department of Orthodontics at the Dankook University School of Dentistry were provided in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format. The left MS and right MS were modeled based on the DICOM files using the Mimics (version 22; Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) 3D program and converted to stereolithography (STL) files used to measure the width, length, and height of the MS, infraorbital foramen (IOF), right MS, and left MS. The average of three repeated measurements was calculated, and a reliability test was performed to ensure data reliability (Cronbach's α=0.618). A canonical discriminant analysis was performed using a standard approach (left: Box's M=0.096; right: Box's M=0.115). Results: Males had greater values for all parameters (MS width, MS length, MS height, IOF, right MS, left MS) than females. The discriminant analysis identified six independent variables (MS width, MS height, MS length, IOF, right MS, left MS) that could identify sex. The left MS and right MS correctly identified the sex of 81.7% and 71.7% of the patients, respectively, with the left MS having higher accuracy. Conclusion: This study confirmed that, for Korean individuals, the left MS has a better ability to identify sex than the right MS. These results may contribute to sex identification in the fields of surgery and forensics.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1220-1232
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• 2018

The purpose of this animal study was to evaluate, by histological analysis, bone regeneration in rabbit maxillary sinuses with an anorganic bovine graft (Bio-Oss) and a ${\beta}-tricalcium$ phosphate (${\beta}-TCP$) grafting. Bilateral sinus augmentation procedures were performed in 12 adult male rabbits. Rectangular replaceable bony windows were made with a piezoelectric thin saw insert. In the Bio-Oss group, Bio-Oss was grafted and in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group, ${\beta}-TCP$ was grafted and covered by replaceable bony windows. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the surgical procedure. The augmented sinuses were evaluated by histomorphometric analysis using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson trichrome, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stains and also by immunohistochemical analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), type I collagen, and osteocalcin content. Histologically, new bone formation was found on the surface of Bio-Oss and ${\beta}-TCP$ particles from 2 weeks and continued to 8 weeks. Significant higher new bone formation was revealed in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group than in the Bio-Oss group at 8 weeks. The amount of graft materials was significantly decreased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group and the number of osteoclasts was significantly increased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group from 4 to 8 weeks. Immunoreactivity to PCNA was reduced at 8 weeks. The expression of type I collagen was significantly increased in the ${\beta}-TCP$ group at 2 weeks, but was significantly increased in the Bio-Oss group at 8 weeks. Immunoreactivity to osteocalcin was increased from 2 to 8 weeks. These histological results can help in the selection of graft materials for implants. Both Bio-Oss and ${\beta}-TCP$ are proven graft materials, however, these results indicate that ${\beta}-TCP$ showed better bone regeneration results in rabbit maxillary sinus augmentation.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.368-375
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• 2013

Purpose: This study is to evaluate the location of descending palatine artery, the anatomy of pterygomaxillary junction, and the association between the obtained anatomic values and several variables. Methods: We studied 40 patients who were treated for dentofacial deformites from January 2010 to December 2012 in Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, Korea. Cone beam computed tomogram (CBCT) was done for all patients. The reference point was approximately 5 to 7 mm above anterior nasal spine on axial image. We evaluated the location of the greater palatine canal (line a: on the coronal view, the shortest line between the center of greater palatine canal and pterygoid fossa; distance a: the distance of line a). We also measured the thickness (line b: on the coronal view, the shortest line between maxillary posterior sinus wall and pterygoid fossa; distance b: distance of line b), width (line c: on the coronal view, the line perpendicular to the line b and the nearest line from the most concave point of lateral pterygoid plate to the medial pterygoid plate; distance c: distance of line c) and height (line d: on sagittal view, the vertically longest line of pterygoid junction; distance d: the distance of line d) in pterygomaxillary junctions. We evaluated the association between the obtained anatomic values and several variables (sex, age, height and weight). Results: The mean distance a was 4.78 mm, mean distance b was 5.53 mm, mean distance c was 8.01 mm and mean distance d was 13.22 mm. The differences between age and mean distance c and weight and mean distance d in pterygomaxillary junctions are statistically significant. Conclusion: There apparently is anatomic variation of pterygomaxillary junctions by various values, particularly weight and age in a Korean clinical population.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of patients and teeth referred to a university dental hospital for endodontic problem. Materials and Methods: From January, 2017 to December, 2018, patients who were referred to a university dental hospital for endodontic problem were collected from clinical records. A total of 1171 patient records were analyzed. The status of the referred teeth was divided into three groups according to whether they were treated endodontically based on radiographs and clinical records at the time of referred visit. Results: 69.9% of the referred teeth were maxillary and mandibular first and second molars. The average time from referral to actual visit is 9.03 days and 65.6% of the case referred with referring letter. The most primary reasons of referral were persistent clinical symptom (pain, swelling, and sinus tract) (37.9%), diagnosis difficulty (16.7%), blockage of canal space (13.8%) and difficult tooth anatomy (11.4%). In the case of referral before endodontic treatment, the most primary reason of referral was failure to make a proper diagnosis. If the teeth were referred in the middle of endodontic treatment, the most primary reason of referral was persistent clinical symptom and blockage of canal space. In the case of referral after root canal filling, the most primary reason of referral was persistent clinical symptom. Conclusion: In the case of molars, the rate of persistent clinical symptom and blockage of canal space were the most primary reason of referral, and the rate of apical surgery and management of trauma was high in the case of anterior teeth.