Evaluation of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in the management of periapical cysts and granulomas: A clinical study

Purpose@#The aim of this study was, firstly, to determine the concordance of ultrasonographic and histopathological diagnoses in patients in whom apical resection was already indicated. Secondly, this study aimed to determine whether lesions were periapical granulomas or cysts, and to compare them after root canal treatment using ultrasonography and periapical radiographs. @*Materials and Methods@#In the first stage of the study, ultrasonographic and histopathologic diagnoses of 10 lesions were compared. Secondly, the periapical radiographs and ultrasonographic images of 44 lesions were measured. The presence of internal vascularity was determined by ultrasonographic color and power Doppler modes. Follow-up examinations of healing after root canal treatment were performed using ultrasonography and periapical radiographs, and these modalities were compared. @*Results@#In the periapical granuloma and cyst groups, the measurement values decreased for all variables. There was no significant difference in the dimensional changes of lesions between the 2 groups, and ultrasonography and periapical radiographs were compatible. The pre-diagnoses were compared with histopathological diagnoses and were found to be compatible. @*Conclusion@#The ultrasonographic color and power Doppler techniques could be an effective method for diagnosing periapical lesions as cysts or granulomas. After root canal treatment of granulomas and cysts, the dimensional shrinkage and healing patterns appear to be similar. Ultrasonography and periapical radiographs were consistent in terms of dimensional comparisons, and ultrasonography may be an alternative method for follow-up of the healing of periapical lesions.

Role of cone-beam computed tomography in the evaluation of a paradental cyst related to the fusion of a wisdom tooth with a paramolar: A rare case report

Fusion is an abnormality of tooth development defined as the union of two developing dental germs, resulting in a single large dental structure. This irregular tooth morphology is associated with a high predisposition to dental caries and periodontal diseases. As a result of recurring inflammatory periodontal processes, disorders such as periodontal pocket, pericoronitis, and paradental cysts may develop. A rare mandibular anatomic variation is the retromolar canal, which is very significant for surgical procedures. The fusion of a paramolar and mandibular third molar associated with a paradental cyst co-occurring with the presence of a retromolar canal is rare, and the aim of the present study is to describe the evaluation of this anatomical configuration using cone-beam computed tomography.