Radiological frequency of idiopathic osteosclerosis in patients referred to Qazvin Dental School [2009]

Idiopathic osteosclerosis is a common radioopaque lesion of the jaw. This lesion is asymptomatic and usually discovered on different radiographs quite by accident. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiographic characteristics of idiopathic osteosclerosis in jaw bones in patients referred to Department of Radiology at Qazvin Dental School. This was a descriptive study performed on 820 panoramic radiographs of 325 male and 465 female patients referred to radiology department for variety of reasons. The radiographs, prepared by different methods, were examined for detecting idiopathic osteosclerosis. Information regarding each radiograph such as the location, number, structure, kind of relation to adjacent teeth, and density [trabecular-cortical] as well as the information on patients' sex and age were registered. Using SPSS version 16, the desired frequency was calculated. Due to the descriptive nature of the study, no special statistical test was used. Of total radiographs, in 87 patients [10/61%], there were 97 idiopathic osteosclerosis lesions at different sites and shapes with demarcated border [50.52%] and trabecular density [54.52%]. Of patients, 58.63% were females and 41.37% males. Most lesions were in the lower jaw especially in first [30.93%] and second molars region [24.75%] and frequently not associated with the adjacent teeth [35.05%]. These lesions were more common in patients at their fourth and fifth decades of life. Based on our results it was revealed that the idiopathic osteosclerosis lesions are more frequent in lower jaw especially in molar areas and it is more common in women compared to men

Comparison of panoramic radiography in detection of carotid artery calcifications with Doppler Sonography results

One of the important findings in panoramic radiology is the detection of a calcified plaque in the carotid artery therefore the dentist may be the first health care practitioner to detect a life-threatening illness. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the panoramic radiographs with Doppler ultrasound for detection of carotid artery calcification in patient with end stage disease. Thirty-eight adult patients with renal disease were referred for Doppler ultrasound examination for the detection of carotid artery calcification. Later, the panoramic radiographs of these patients were evaluated by two radiologists for the detection of calcification around the carotid bifurcation. Data of panoramic radiography and Doppler ultrasound were analyzed by SPSS using Cohen kappa analysis and chi-squared test. Accuracy, sensitivity, and the specificity of panoramic radiographs were 75.6%, 70.1%, and 77.2%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the panoramic radiology and Doppler ultrasound results with moderate agreement [p<0.05, k=0.490]. Inter observer reliability in panoramic technique was shown to be excellent [kappa=0.890]. All panoramic radiographs made for evaluation of oral structures, should be carefully screened for detection of carotid artery calcification, particularly radiographs of high risk patients

use of orthodontic need index [IOTN] in a referred Iranian population

IOTN index has been used in different countries for assessment of orthodontic treatment needs in recent years. This index has two components, an aesthetic component [AC] and a dental health component [DHC]. The aim of this study was assessment of orthodontic needs on the basis of IOTN index in those people who had come for orthodontic treatment. We used IOTN index in order to assess the orthodontic treatment needs of 343 applicants [262 females and 81 males] with a mean age of 18.1 [standard deviation 3.8 years]. Who had come for treatment during a certain period of time [8 months] For determining the AC we used a set of 10 pictures graded on the basis of aesthetical features of teeth. The DHC Component of Index that has five degrees was determined bases on study casts with standard preparation. If necessary and for more accuracy panoramic radiographies of patients were also used. The analysis of the obtained data was performed using Kappa, Chi-square and Spearman's tests. The results with determination of subjective needs on the basis of AC by patient's perceived need indicate a lock of significant relation between gender and the patients' perceived need for AC [p<0.05]. Most of these patients had determined their AC to be between grades 1-4, the results of AC determination through normative need assessment were the same as the results of perceived need Assessment. Which in case of DHC determination it was revealed that most subjects had a grade between 4 and 5, and there was a significant relation between DHC and type of malocclusion [p>0.05]. Subjective data of IOTN index alone can not be considered an appropriate indicator of orthodontic treatment needs determination

[Comparing accuracy of Kodak Ektaspeed and Agfa Dentus M2 dental X-ray films in detection of caries]

Approximal caries is detected by clinical examination supplemented by bite wing radiography. In vitro comparison of diagnostic accuracy in detecting approximal caries of two dental X-ray films named as Kodak Ektaspeed and Agfa Dentus M2. In an experimental study, sixty-four unrestored extracted premolar and molar with approximal caries were arranged in a way to simulate a bite wing examination followed by radiography under standardized condition using Dentus M2 [Agfa-Gevaert] and Ektaspeed [Kodak Eastman]. The films were processed automatically. Three observers assessed radiographs using the following rating measures: R[0]=sound R[1]= enamel lesion R[2]= lesion reaching the dentioenamel junction R3= dentinal lesion. True caries depth was determined by histological examination. True caries depth was compared using the values given by observers and further an analysis of kappa was performed. The null hypothesis was rejected when p<0.001. The interobservers agreement on two films was high and revealed no significant disagreement [p<0.001]. Kappa value was 0.52 to 0.62. This value corresponded with moderate to high strength of agreement. There was no significant difference between two films and the standard [p>0.001]. Both films produced similar results in terms of diagnostic accuracy for approximal caries

effect of alterations in processing solution and exposure times on Dentus M2 and Ektaspeed intra-oral films

The processing procedure influences the degree of density and contrast of the resulting radiograph. To determine the effect of changes in processing solution and exposure times on Dentus M2 and Ektaspeed intra-oral films. This was an analytical study in which 44 samples of each type of the films were used. The distance between the source and the film surface was 28 inches. The exposure was performed using 11 different times, vertically, with maximum voltage of 70 and 8 mA. Processing was carried out at days 1, 5, 10 and 15 using an automatic machine. Later, the density of each film was measured by Digital Density Meter. Data were analyzed by T-Test and paired T-Test. Longer exposure time caused an increase in density of both types of the films. The mean density of either type decreased through days 1 to 15. The mean density was 0.92 +/- 0.09 for Dentus M2 and 0.75 +/- 0.09 for Ektaspeed in all processing time. However, a significant difference was found between two groups [p<0.05]. The Dentus M2 is recommended asboth result in a intra-oral film showed to have higher density with lower variability than the Ektaspeed film