Comparative study of anatomical features of primary and accessory maxillary ostia between patients with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy controls.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine how the size and shape of the maxillary sinus and its ostia (the primary maxillary ostium and accessory maxillary ostium) relate to each other in patients with OSA using computed tomography (CT) scans. Additionally, the study aimed to explore whether or not obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) had an effect on these structures. METHODS: CT images of patients diagnosed with OSAS and healthy participants were evaluated to compare the patency, location, dimension, and presence of PMOs and AMOs using the Mann-Whitney U, Student t, and chi-square tests. Also, intragroup correlations were analyzed by Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: Among 139 patients with OSA and healthy controls, there were significant variations in the average length (p = 0.001) and width (p = 0.008) of PMOs among the study groups. The mean maxillary sinus volume was significantly decreased in the OSA group (p = 0.001). A significant decrease in the maxillary sinus volume was observed in the OSA group (p = 0.001). In the OSA group, a significant correlation was observed between PMO obstruction and the presence of AMO (p = 0.004). The healthy group had significant correlations (r = 0.755, p = 0.000) between the vertical height and the distance between PMO and the maxillary sinus floor. Correlation analyses revealed positive, strong correlations between study variables such as the mean length and width of AMO and the vertical height of the maxillary sinus (r = 0.566, p = 0.000) in the OSA group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study indicated significant differences in sinus volume, PMO occlusion, and AMO-related dimensions between patients with OSA and healthy controls.

Association between second mesiobuccal canal and apical periodontitis in retrospective cone-beam computed tomographic images.

This retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study aimed to investigate the possible associations of apical periodontitis (AP) with missed/unmissed second mesiobuccal (MB2) canals. MB2 canals and AP were investigated in 257 endodontically treated and 673 untreated maxillary molars, and the former were analyzed regarding missed/unmissed MB2 canals. The chi-squared test and odds ratio (OR) were used for statistics. The prevalence of MB2 canals in maxillary first molars was higher than that in second molars (p = 0.001). MB2 canals were 1.751 times more common in males than in females (OR: 1.751; 95% CI: 1.334-2.297), with a significant difference in the 18-39 age groups (p = 0.005). The risk for AP was 5.5 times greater in endodontically treated maxillary molars with missed MB2 canals than in those with unmissed MB2 canals (p = 0.012) (OR: 5.5, 95% CI: 1.549-19.527). The findings of this study reveal that the likelihood of the MB2 canal is higher in the maxillary first molars of young adult males.

Investigation using cone beam computed tomography analysis, of radicular grooves and canal configurations of mandibular premolars in a Turkish subpopulation.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an in vivo evaluation of prevalence of root canal configurations, lengths of C-shaped canals, prevalence and depths of radicular grooves (RGs), in mandibular first and second premolars in a Turkish subpopulation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 327 first and 264 second premolars were included. Canal configurations, locations, lengths, and types of C-shaped canals, and RGs were evaluated on CBCT images. Data were statistically analyzed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: First and second premolars were classified as follows: type I, (83.8%, 97.72%); type V, (12.22%, 0.76%); type III, (3.06%, 0.76%); and other types. RGs were exhibited by 14.68% of first and 2.27% of second premolars (P < 0.05). Incidence of complex canals (types III, V and other types, 89.8%) in first premolars with RGs was significantly higher versuswithout RGs (P < 0.05). C-shaped configuration was exhibited by 4.58% of first (80% semilunar-type), and 1.13% of second premolars (P < 0.05). All first premolars with C-shaped canals showed RGs and complex canals. CONCLUSIONS: Complex canals and RGs frequently co-exist in mandibular premolars. C-shaped canals are not common in mandibular premolars, and mostly located in middle thirds. Type V is the most prevalent complex canal configuration in first premolars, and frequently associated with a C-shaped semilunar-type anatomy.

A case of multiple dental anomalies: a variant of Ekman-Westborg-Julin trait.

Simultaneous occurrence of multiple dental anomalies is relatively common and has been reported particularly in cases with systemic alterations or syndromes. However, in 1974, Ekman-Westborg and Julin described a unique case of multiple macrodontia and multituberculism of posterior teeth accompanied by multiple dental malformations without other systemic anomalies. Here we report the case of a 20-year-old female patient who presented with macrodontia affecting her maxillary lateral teeth, mandibular incisors, and impacted multituberculated wisdom teeth accompanied by other dental anomalies that manifested itself as a variant of the Ekman-Westborg-Julin trait.

Examination of paramolar tubercles in Turkish population using cone beam computed tomography / Estudio de los tuberculos paramolares en una población turca mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico

SUMMARY: Paramolar tubercle (PT) is an additional cusp occuring on buccal surface of both upper and lower permanent molars. PT is also known as parastyle when tubercle is present in upper molars, as protostylid when tubercle is present in lower molars. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of PTs in Turkish population with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Presence of PT in molar teeth were evaluated retrospectively using CBCT images of 210 patients (102 male, 108 female) between 18-77 years old. A total of 909 teeth were analyzed. Because of various reasons some teeth were excluded and final analyze was done with 653 teeth. Prevalence of PT was found as 2.76 % (18 out of 653). Highest frequency of PT was detected 5 in #27, 4 in #17, 2 in #48 among all molar teeth respectively. In two cases; 2 PTs were on the same tooth, bilateral PT was found only in one case. PT was undetected on upper first molars. Prevalence of PTs on permanent molars is a rare phenomenon in the studied population. Use of CBCT in such anatomic variations will provide valuable and detailed information during treatment modalities. Since this pilot study represents Turkish subpopulation, comprehensive studies with increased number of cases should be undertaken to clarify the prevalence of paramolars in Turkish population. Advanced imaging techniques like CBCT will be more helpful in understanding and detecting exact morphological and anatomical variations of PTs during treatment modalities.

RESUMEN: El tubérculo paramolar (TP) es una cúspide adicional que está en la superficie vestibular de los molares permanentes superiores e inferiores. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la predisposición de TP en la población turca con tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC). Presencia de TP en dientes molares se evaluaron retrospectivamente utilizando imágenes de tomografia de 210 pacientes (102 hombres, 108 mujeres) entre 18-77 años de edad. Se analizó un total de 909 dientes. Por varias razones, algunos dientes fueron excluídos y el análisis final se realizó con 653 dientes. Prevalencia de PTP se encontró en el 2,76 % (18 dientes de 653). La frecuencia más alta de TP se detectó: 5 en # 27, 4 en # 17, 2 en # 48, entre todos los dientes molares, respectivamente. En dos casos, 2 de los TP fueron observados en el mismo diente; TP bilateral sólo se encontró en un caso. El TP no fue detectado en los primeros molares superiores. La prevalencia de TP en los molares permanentes es un fenómeno poco frecuente en la población estudiada. El uso de la TCHC en tales variaciones anatómicas, proporcionará información valiosa y detallada para definir la aplicación de diferentes modalidades de tratamiento. Dado que este estudio piloto representa a una subpoblación turca, estudios exhaustivos con un mayor número de casos deben llevarse a cabo para determinar la prevalencia en la población turca total. Técnicas avanzadas de imagen como TCHC serán más útiles para detectar variaciones morfológicas y anatómicas exactas de TP durante diversas modalidades de tratamiento.