A comparative study between data obtained from conventional lateral cephalometry and reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography images

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to verify the concordance of the measurement values when the same cephalometric analysis method was used for two-dimensional (2D) cephalometric radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT), and to identify which 3D Frankfort horizontal (FH) plane was the most concordant with FH plane used for cephalometric radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reference horizontal plane was FH plane. Palatal angle and occlusal plane angle was evaluated with FH plane. Gonial angle (GA), palatal angle, upper occlusal plane angle (UOPA), mandibular plane angle (MPA), U1 to occlusal plane angle, U1 to FH plane angle, SNA and SNB were obtained on 2D cephalmetries and reconstructed 3D CT. The values measured eight angles in 2D lateral cephalometry and reconstructed 3D CT were evaluated by intraclass correlation coefficiency (ICC). It also was evaluated to identify 3D FH plane with high degree of concordance to 2D one by studying which one in four FH planes shows the highest degree of concordance with 2D FH plane. RESULTS: ICCs of MPA (0.752), UOPA (0.745), SNA (0.798) and SNB (0.869) were high. On the other hand, ICCs of gonial angle (0.583), palatal angle (0.287), U1 to occlusal plane (0.404), U1 to FH plane (0.617) were low respectively. Additionally GA and MPA acquired from 2D were bigger than those on 3D in all 20 patients included in this study. Concordance between one UOPA from 2D and four UOPAs from 3D CT were evaluated by ICC values. Results showed no significant difference among four FH planes defined on 3D CT. CONCLUSION: FH plane that can be set on 3D CT does not have difference in concordance from FH plane on lateral cephalometry. However, it is desirable to define FH plane on 3D CT with two orbitales and one porion considering the reproduction of orbitale itself.

Frankfort horizontal plane is an appropriate three-dimensinal reference in the evaluation of clinical and skeletal cant

OBJECTIVES: In three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT), the cant is evaluated by measuring the distance between the reference plane (or line) and the tooth. The purpose of this study was to determine the horizontal skeletal reference plane that showed the greatest correlation with clinical evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 15 patients who closed their eyes during the CT image taking process. The menton points of all patients deviated by more than 3 mm. In the first evaluation, clinical cant was measured. The distance from the inner canthus to the ipsilateral canine tip and the distance from the eyelid to the ipsilateral first molar were obtained. The distance between the left and right sides was also measured. In the second evaluation, skeletal cant was measured. Six reference planes and one line were used for the evaluation of occlusal cant: 1) FH plane R: Or.R - Or.L - Po.R; 2) FH plane L: Or.R - Or.L - Po.L; 3) F. Ovale plane R: Rt.F.Ovale - Lt.F.Ovale - Or.R; 4) F. Ovale plane L: Rt.F.Ovale - Lt.F.Ovale - Or.L; 5) FZS plane R: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS - Po.R; 6) FZS plane R: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS - Po.L, and; 7) FZS line: Rt.FZS - Lt.FZS. RESULTS: The clinical and skeletal cants were compared using linear regression analysis. The FH plane R, FH plane L, and FZS line showed the highest correlation (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The FH plane R and FH plane L are the most appropriate horizontal reference plane in evaluation of occlusal cant on 3D-CT.

Assessment of Treatment Outcome after Using Temporary Mandibular Advancement Devices in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

50% Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) reduction plus post-MAD AHI <10, and the non-response group was defined as <50% AHI reduction. The lateral cephalogram was analysed including SNA, SNB, UL, MPH, PAS, PASU, and PAST using V-ceph(TM) (Cybermed, USA).RESULTS: The responsers were 23 patients, and non-responsers were 5 patients. The AHI was significantly reduced with temporary MAD (8.08+/-7.93) compared with baseline (28.51+/-20.56) in the response group (n=23). No significant difference was observed between pre MAD and post MAD except SNB on cephalometric analysis. Among 11 patients successfully treated with the temporary device, 9 patients said that using permanent device brings better effect too.CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the Temporary MAD could not be the only effective tools on OSA but also be used to predict patient's reactivity about permanent appliance treatment. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the relations between temporary MAD and permanent MAD.

Comparison of surgical approach and outcome for the treatment of cystic lesion on lower jaw

OBJECTIVES: Curettage and enucleation are two of the most common procedures performed in oral and maxillofacial surgery units. To access a cystic lesion, the buccal cortical plate is removed. The no reposition (NR) group underwent surgery without repositioning the buccal cortical plate. The reposition (R) group underwent surgery with a repositioning of the buccal cortical plate. This study compared the two surgical procedures in terms of bone healing and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent curettage and enucleation surgery were enrolled in this study. Panoramic radiographs of the patients in both the NR group (n=26) and R group (n=34) were taken at the baseline and at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. The radiolucent area was calculated to evaluate bony healing in each radiograph. The complications were analyzed through a review of the medical records. RESULTS: The correlation between bony healing and surgical approach was not significant in the 6th, 12th, and 24th month (P<0.05). The complication rate was not associated with gender, graft material, bone graft and drain insertion (P<0.05). On the other hand, the R group had a higher complication rate (35.3%) than the NR group (0%). The difference in the mean lesion size between the NR group (37,024+/-3,617 pixel) and R group (92,863+/-15,931 pixel) was significant (independent t test, P=0.004). CONCLUSION: Although the reposition method is chosen when the lesion size is large, it is associated with more complications. Indeed, infection, discomfort and recurrence of the lesion were the most common complications in the R group. Furthermore, the R method does not have a strong point in terms of bone healing compared to the NR method. Therefore, the R method cannot be considered an ideal approach and should be used in limited cases.