• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2013

Purpose: X-ray exposure should be clinically justified and each exposure should be expected to give patients benefits. Since dental radiographic examination is one of the most frequent radiological procedures, radiation hazard becomes an important public health concern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitude of Korean dentists about radiation safety and use of criteria for selecting the frequency and type of radiographic examinations. Materials and Methods: The study included 267 Korean dentists. Five questions related to radiation safety were asked of each of them. These questions were about factors associated with radiation protection of patients and operators including the use of radiographic selection criteria for intraoral radiographic procedures. Results: The frequency of prescription of routine radiographic examination (an example is a panoramic radiograph for screening process for occult disease) was 34.1%, while that of selective radiography was 64.0%. Dentists' discussion of radiation risk and benefit with patients was infrequent. More than half of the operators held the image receptor by themselves during intraoral radiographic examinations. Lead apron/thyroid collars for patient protection were used by fewer than 22% of dental offices. Rectangular collimation was utilized by fewer than 15% of dental offices. Conclusion: The majority of Korean dentists in the study did not practice radiation protection procedures which would be required to minimize exposure to unnecessary radiation for patients and dental professionals. Mandatory continuing professional education in radiation safety and development of Korean radiographic selection criteria is recommended.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.222-226
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the interdental bone level in premolar bitewing radiographs while retracting the cheeks. Methods: Seventy-two horizontal bone defects were created on dried mandibles and maxillae. The distance from the bone level to the cement-enamel junction of premolars was detected by a modified digital caliper (considered the gold standard). The reliability of all radiographs was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the validity was compared to the gold standard using the analysis of variance test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: This study showed that the reliability of radiographs without a cheek simulator and with 0.16 second exposure time was significantly higher than that of the two other groups (ICC=0.96 compared to 0.93 and 0.88, respectively). The results from the radiographs without a cheek simulator and with 0.16 second exposure time were more similar to the gold standard measures than those of the two other groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Retracting the buccal soft tissue plays an important role in increasing the accuracy of radiographs in detecting the interdental alveolar bone level and produces more accurate results than increasing the exposure time, although it does not have a significant role in reliability of results.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.186-190
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• 2017

A surgical approach involving the retromolar trigone, posterolateral maxilla, and pterygoid region is the most challenging in the field of maxillofacial surgery. The upper cheek flap (Weber-Ferguson incision) with subciliary extension and the maxillary swing approach have been considered as alternatives; however, neither approach provides sufficient exposure of the pterygoid region and the anterior portion of the mandibular ramus. In this report, we describe two cases in which a lower cheek flap approach was used for complete tumor resection in the retromolar trigone and the anterior mandibular ramus. This approach allows full exposure of the posterolateral maxilla and the pterygoid region as well as the retromolar trigone without causing major sensory disturbances to the lower lip. A mental nerve anastomosis after tumor resection was performed in one patient and resulted in approximately 90% sensory recovery in the lower lip. The lower cheek flap approach provides adequate exposure of the posterolateral maxilla, including the pterygoid, retromolar trigone, and mandibular ramus areas. If the mental nerve can be anastomosed during flap approximation, postoperative sensory disturbances to the lower lip can be minimized.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2023

Background: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a specialized medical equipment and plays a significant role in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases and abnormalities; however, it is attributed to risk of exposure of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to estimate and determine the amount of scattered radiation dose to the thyroid gland in dental CBCT during maxilla and mandible scan. Materials and Methods: The average scattered radiation dose for i-CAT 17-19 Platinum CBCT (Imaging Sciences International) was measured using a Multi-O-Meter (Unfors Instruments), placed at the patient's neck on the skin surface of the thyroid cartilage, with an exposure parameter of 120 kVp and 37.07 mAs. The surface entrance dose was noted using the Multi-O-Meter, which was placed at the time of the scan at the level of the thyroid gland on the anterior surface of the neck. Results and Discussion: The surface entrance dose to the thyroid from both jaws scans was 191.491±78.486 µGy for 0.25 mm voxel and 26.9 seconds, and 153.670±74.041 µGy from the mandible scan, whereas from the maxilla scan the surface entrance dose was 5.259±10.691 µGy. Conclusion: The surface entrance doses to the thyroid gland from imaging of both the jaws, and also from imaging of the maxilla and mandible alone were within the threshold limit. The surface entrance dose and effective dose in CBCT were dependent on the exposure parameters (kVp and mAs), scan length, and field of view. To further reduce the radiation dose, care should be taken in selecting an appropriate protocol as well as the provision of providing shielding to the thyroid gland.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1633-1637
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• 2012

Introduction: The incidence of oral premalignant and malignant lesions is on the rise due to an increased number of people taking in tobacco and alcohol related habits. Material and Methods: 1028 patients with tobacco, alcohol and areca nut habits attending our Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology formed the study sample. An interviewer based questionnaire was used to record the habit details. All the patients were then examined clinically for the presence of lesions. Chi square and Fisher exact tests were used to assess the statistical significance of the study parameters. Results: Males had a higher prevalence and comprised 87.9% of the sample. The commonest habit in this study sample was smoking (39.2%) followed by smokeless tobacco use (28.1%). Out of the 1028 patients with habits 40% had no clinically detectable changes in their mucosa. Of the mucosal changes leukoplakia (14%) was the commonest. Conclusions: This study provided information about the habit trends in the patients visiting this institution. The study may serve as a useful tool in educating the patients about the deleterious effects of oral tobacco, alcohol and betel exposure.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 2023

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by progressive heterotopic ossification in muscle and connective tissue, with few reported cases affecting the head and neck region. Although plain radiographic findings and computed tomography features have been well documented, limited reports exist on magnetic resonance findings. This report presents 2 cases of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, one with limited mouth opening due to heterotopic ossification of the lateral pterygoid muscle and the other with restricted neck movement due to heterotopic ossification of the platysma muscle. Clinical findings of restricted mouth opening or limited neck movement, along with radiological findings of associated heterotopic ossification, should prompt consideration of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in the differential diagnosis. Dentists should be particularly vigilant with patients diagnosed with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva to avoid exposure to diagnostic biopsy and invasive dental procedures.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.117-126
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• 2007

Although the diagnostic information provided by radiographs may be of definite benefit to the patients, the radiographic examination does carry the potential for harm from exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore we should try to expose radiation as low as reasonably achievable and to give diagnostic information to patients as much as possible. All of dentists should have competence in radiation protection. I wish to deal with what we should do for the optimization of radiation protection in dental clinic.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2014

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a facultative anaerobic bacterium mainly found in the oral cavity and is known to contribute to tooth decay and gingivitis. Recent studies on intestinal microbiota have revealed that microorganisms forming a biofilm play important roles in maintaining tissue homeostasis through their own metabolism. However, the physiological roles of oral microorganisms such as S. mutans are still unclear. In our current study, we identified that constituents released from S. mutans (CR) reduce arecoline-mediated cytotoxicity without producing toxic effects themselves. Arecoline, as a major alkaloid of areca nut, is known to mediate cytotoxicity on oral epithelial cells and induces a sustained intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) increase that is cytotoxic. The exposure of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells to CR not only inhibited the sustained $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increase but also the initial $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ elevation. In contrast, CR had no effects on the gene regulation mediated by arecoline. These results demonstrate that S. mutans has physiological role in reducing cytotoxicity in HGF cells and may be considered a novel pharmaceutical candidate.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1999

The labiomandibulotomy approch to the oral cavity and oropharygeal region was first described by Roux in 1836 and become popular for oral and oropharyngeal tumors in cases where there are no clinical and radiological signs of mandible invasion. Anterior labiomandibulotomy and swing procedure provides excellent access and facilitate a mandibular resection and subsequent repair. In last two years, 8 cases of oral and oropharyngeal tumors were treated by this approach at the Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Holy Family Hospital, Catholic University of Korea. And we analyzed postoperative complications as well as functional evaluations, and the results were as follows; In 4 cases, marginal mandibulectomy were combined with labiomandibulotomy and in case of malignancies, neck dissection was performed simultaneously. In almost case, plate and miniscrew fixation was used for osteotomy sites. Histologic evaluation of the resection margins of the specimens revealed tumor free in all cases. The postoperative complications were occured in 3 cases, one case of nonunion, one case of orocutaneous fistula, and one case of wound dehisence. Occlusal stability, jaw movement and swallowing function were acceptable postoperatively in 3 months. From above results, we concluded that, this approach not only provides wide exposure, permitting radical removal of benign and malignant lesions but also preserves function with minimal complications.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.342-349
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• 2014

Methods of establishment of AOEL (Acceptable Operator Exposure Level), application of oral absorption by country, and calculation of exposure dose for operator risk assessment in USA, EU and Korea were investigated. Oral absorption of 141 active substances for pesticides was also investigated, then operator risk assessment was conducted with AOEL including oral absorption and Korean AOEL. Internal dose converted to external dose with oral or dermal absorption in USA and EU, but external dose to which oral absorption was not applied was used for establishment of AOEL in Korea. Oral absorption of 50 active substances among 141 were below 80%. In case of application of oral absorption as a correction factor in below 80%, AOELs of about 36% active substances were considered to be lower than the current Korean AOELs. Operator risk assessment of 28 active substances among 50 active substances with oral absorption below 80% was conducted with EU AOELs. TER (Toxicity Exposure Ratio) of 12 plant protection products including chlorothalonil WG (Water-dispersible Granule) was less than 1 and the risk was high. Operator risk assessment of 24 active substances among 50 active substances with oral absorption below 80% was conducted with Korean AOELs. TER of 6 plant protection products including chlorothalonil WG were less than 1 and the risk was high. Operator risk assessment of 4 plant protection products not having Korean AOEL was conducted with converted EU AOEL into AOEL not including oral absorption. The results indicated TER of 4 products including daminozide WP (Wettable Powder) was over 1 and risk was low. 22 products except 6 products such as oxadiagyl SC (Suspension Concentration) were shown the same results of risk assessment between EU AOELs and Korean AOELs. As a result, it was considered that AOELs including oral absorption was possible to be used for operator risk assessment. It was considered operator risk assessment with AOEL including oral absorption was more like real assessment method, and improvement of assessment was needed for application to evaluate pesticides in registration.