RESUMO
Statement of the Problem: After introducing digital radiography, practitioners started reading radiographs from computer monitors; however, many still prefer hard-copy radiographs
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the possible superiority of either type of radi-ograph recording media [computer monitor, film, or paper] in diagnosis and per-ception of the depth of the cariogenic lesions
Materials and Method: Twenty digital bitewing radiographs, obtained from 200 posterior extracted teeth, were displayed on an LG monitor and printed on paper and film using Kodak printers. Two observers independently measured lesions depth on the images. Serial sections of teeth were obtained and the sections were evaluated by a stereomicroscope to determine the actual depth of cariogenic le-sions. The efficacy of the each medium was assessed by determining its specificity and sensitivity in comparison with those of histological images. Weighted kappa coefficients and the ROC analysis were used for the statistical analysis
Results: Strong intra- and inter-observer agreements [0.818 to 0.958, 0.77 to 0.85] were found for all detection methods. The highest Az value was obtained with the monitor-displayed images [Az: 0.879]; however, differences between detection methods were not statistically significant [p> 0.05]
Conclusion: Monitor-displayed bitewing radiographs, paper, and film prints used in our study performed similarly in the detection of proximal caries
RESUMO
Statement of the Problem: The most important risk factor for inferior alveolar nerve [IAN] damage is the proximity of the mandibular root apices to the alveolar canal. Failure to position the patient's head at standardized orientation during cone beam computed tomography [CBCT] scans might adversely affect the relative position of the alveolar canal and mandibular root apices with subsequent treatment failure
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of the orientations of the skull during the scanning procedure on the accuracy of CBCT images in determining the positional relationship of the mandibular tooth apices to the alveolar canal
Materials and Method: CBCT scans of 7 human dry skulls were obtained by using NewTom VGi CBCT in standard, tilt, flexion, extension and rotation positions of the head. The shortest radiographic distance between the mandibular tooth apices and the IAN canal of 20 points were measured on cross sectional images of CBCT in all position scans. A sample t-test was used to compare the measurements at different head position with the standard position values
Results: Significant differences were found in the measurements of normal and tilt orientations. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the measurements in standard position and other deviated positions. The mean errors in all head positions were less than 0.5mm
Conclusion: Alteration of patient head positioning during CBCT scanning does not affect the relative position of the IAN and the apices of posterior teeth