Introducing a dental caries marking software and evaluate radiologists' disagreement in caries detection using this software

Bitewing radiograph is the main reference for diagnosis of proximal and recurrent caries. There is no software for gathering and analyzing radiologists' opinion in the field of caries detection on digital bitewing radiograph [DBR].The main aim of this study is to introduce the first windows application that could be used for marking caries on DBR. This software is called Dental Caries Marking Software [DCMS]. The second aim is to create the first DBR caries dataset to be used for future software development projects in the field of automatic caries detection; also gathering and documenting the disagreements and critiques regarding DCMS.DCMS has been designed and implemented by the researchers of this study. This software is divided into two parts. The first part is DCMS writer that is used for gathering the user's opinion and The second part is DCMS analyzer that is used for reading and analyzing the user's opinion file. Eight radiologists with different experiences used DCMS for marking dental caries on 200 DBR, 50 of which were repeated twice for assessing the accuracy of each radiologist. A total of 3833 points were marked by 8 users on 150 non repetitive DBR. Only 35 points were marked similarly by 8 users; in other words, 8 users totally agreed with 4% of the caries points. According to 50 repetitive DBR, the maximum accuracy of users was 69% and the minimum was 50%.There is significant debate over the diagnosis of caries on DBR; therefore, for unifying the radiologist's opinions, the need for intelligent caries detection software is apparent. DCMS is useful software for gathering caries data. Moreover, the use of conventional display monitor has negative impacts on accurate diagnosis of caries on DBR

[Comparison of second molar eruption patterns in skeletal class I and class II malocclusions]

The timing and pattern of eruption of second molars are clinically important factors and might be related to different types of craniofacial skeletal morphology and malocclusion.In this cross sectional study the eruptive positions of the second molars in Class I and Class II malocclusion were studied and compared. Pretreatment records including clinical examinations, and radiographs of 99 orthodontic patients, [56 girls and 43 boys with the mean age of 10.2 years] were evaluated. Approximately 25.3% of the patients had skeletal Class I, 35.3% had skeletal maxillary Class II, and 39.3% had skeletal mandibular Class II malocclusions. The eruptive position in relation to a reference line, as well as, the developmental stages of the patients' second molars, and the dental ages were recorded using theirs panoramic radiographs. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Chi- square tests. The mean values of dental and chronologic ages of the subjects were similar. The distribution of various developmental stages in each malocclusion group was similar. There was an association between the type of skeletal malocclusion and dental developmental stage of the second molars [p <0.0001]. The eruptive position of second molars was more occlusal in the maxilla of patients with maxillary Class II and more apical in the mandible of patients with mandibular Class II [p <0.0001] According to the present study, the maxillary second molars erupt earlier in maxillary Class II malocclusion patients, and the mandibular second molars erupt later in mandibular Class II malocclusion compared to other malocclusions

Review of indications for sialography and report of an unusual case of warthons' duct

The aim of this article was to present an unusual sialographic finding in a case of submandibular gland in which the trifurcation of warthon's duct acted somehow similar to the obstruction factors. A 36 years old male was referred to Shiraz Dental School with the symptom of obstruction of the right submandibular duct. After systemic and clinical evaluation and radiographic examination, sialography was performed. It was revealed that the trifurcation of proximal part of deep [horizontal] segment of warthon's duct was the cause of obstruction. The interesting point in this case was the absence of gland swelling and pain during meal time which in other cases it occurs due to the usual obstructive factors such as sialolithiasis [calcified or non calcified], stricture, mucocele or salivary cyst. To our knowledge and based on the literature review, this is the first reported case of warthon's duct showing this type of anatomic feature which was detected by sialography

[Maxillary first molar with a single root and a single canal: a case report]

The aim of this case report is to present an unusual maxillary first molar with a single root and a single canal. The significance of this case is that, according to most endodontics and dental anatomy textbooks, the human maxillary first molar usually has three roots and three or four canals. Based on our literature search, this case report is the second reported maxillary first molar with single root in the world and the first in Iran. A 42 years old lady with acute pulpits of the left maxillary first molar was referred to our clinic. The probability of the presence of single root and single canal of the first molar was considered based on her panoramic view. Access opening revealed a single wide canal orifice extending from buccal to lingual side. The presence of a single root and canal was proved by preparing several periapical radiographs with different horizontal angulations during root canal therapy