Comparison of the accuracy of the London atlas and Smith method in dental age estimation in 5-15.99-year-old Iranians using the panoramic view.

Tooth development is widely used for age estimation and staging physical maturity. It is of great importance in dental age estimation in forensic dentistry, orthodontic treatment planning, and pediatric endocrinology. This study aimed to compare the accuracy of two age estimation methods, i.e., the London Atlas and Smith's method, using the panoramic view of developing teeth. In this descriptive-analytic study, panoramic radiographs of 339 healthy individuals, including 145 boys and 194 girls, were assessed. The participants aged between 5.00 and 15.99 years. Dental age of the subjects was determined by the London Atlas of Human Tooth Development and Eruption and Smith's method. The collected information was entered in the SPSS software (Ver.18). Differences and correlations between chronological and dental age were assessed by paired t tests and Pearson's correlation analysis. In all analyzes, the significance level was considered less than 0.05. The mean chronological age of the subjects was 10.13 ± 2.92 years. The mean ages estimated by the London Atlas and Smith's method were 10.29 ± 2.91 and 9.89 ± 2.84 years, respectively. Paired t test showed that the differences between the mean chronological age and mean estimated ages using the London Atlas and Smith's method were not significant (P = 0.15 and 0.16, respectively). Our findings showed that both methods had high accuracy for age estimation, but the London Atlas is easier to use.

Diagnostic value of DIAGNOdent in detecting caries under composite restorations of primary molars.

BACKGROUND: Direct observation cannot detect caries under restorations; therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of radiographs and DIAGNOdent in detecting caries under restorations in primary teeth using histologic evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74 previously extracted primary molars (37 with occlusal caries and 37 without caries) were used. Class 1 cavity preparations were made on each tooth by a single clinician and then the preparations were filled with composite resin. The accuracy of radiographs and DIAGNOdent in detecting caries was compared using histologic evaluation. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 using Chi-square, Mc Namara statistical tests and receiver operating characteristic curve. The significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity for DIAGNOdent were 70.97 and 83.72, respectively. Few false negative results were observed, and the positive predictive value was high (+PV = 75.9) and the area under curve was more than 0.70 therefore making DIAGNOdenta great method for detecting caries (P = 0.0001). Two observers evaluated the radiographs and both observers had low sensitivity ( first observer: 48.39) (second observer: 51.61) and high specificity (both observers: 79.07). The +PV was lower than DIAGNOdent and the area under curve for both observers was less than 0.70. However, the difference between the two methods was not significant. CONCLUSION: DIAGNOdent showed a greater accuracy in detecting secondary caries under primary molar restorations, compared to radiographs. Although DIAGNOdent is an effective method for detecting caries under composite restorations, it is better to be used as an adjunctive method alongside other detecting procedures.

Normal Variations of Sphenoid Sinus and the Adjacent Structures Detected in Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: The sphenoid sinus is a common target of paranasal surgery. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is likely to endanger the anatomic variations of vital structures adjacent to the sphenoid sinus. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the variations of sphenoid sinus and the related structures by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this descriptive-analytic study, CBCT images of 103 patients aged above 20-years were selected (206 sides). Degree of pneumatization of sphenoid sinus, pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process, pterygoid process, protrusion of optic canal, vidian canal, and foramen rotundum, as well as prevalence of sinus septa were recorded. Examinations were performed using On-Demand software (Version 1); data were analyzed by using chi-square test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between the pterygoid pneumatization and vidian canal protrusion (p< 0.001), and foramen rotundum protrusion (p< 0.001). The optic canal protrusion was found to be significantly associated with the anterior clinoid pneumatization and pterygoid process (p< 0.001). Statistically significant relationship was also observed between the carotid canal protrusion and pterygoid process pneumatization (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The anatomical variations of the sphenoid sinus tend to give rise to a complexity of symptoms and potentially serious complications. This variability necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the regional sphenoid sinus anatomy by a detailed CBCT sinus examination.

A Comparison of the Accuracy of Four Age Estimation Methods Based on Panoramic Radiography of Developing Teeth.

Background and aims. Tooth development is widely used in determining age and state of maturity. Dental age is of high importance in forensic and pediatric dentistry and also orthodontic treatment planning .The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of four radiographic age estimation methods. Materials and methods. Orthopantomographic images of 537 healthy children (age: 3.9-14.5 years old) were evaluated. Dental age of the subjects was determined through Demirjian's, Willem's, Cameriere's, and Smith's methods. Differences and correlations between chronological and dental ages were assessed by paired t-tests and Pearson's correlation analysis, respectively. Results. The mean chronological age of the subjects was 8.93 ± 2.04 years. Overestimations of age were observed following the use of Demirjian's method (0.87 ± 1.00 years), Willem's method (0.36 ± 0.87 years), and Smith's method (0.06 ± 0.63 years). However, Cameriere's method underestimated age by 0.19 ± 0.86 years. While paired t-tests revealed significant differences between the mean chronological age and ages determined by Demirjian's, Willem's, and Cameriere's methods (P < 0.001), such a significant difference was absent between chronological age and dental age based on Smith's method (P = 0.079). Pearson's correlation analysis suggested linear correlations between chronological age and dental age determined by all four methods. Conclusion. Our findings indicated Smith's method to have the highest accuracy among the four assessed methods. How-ever, all four methods can be used with acceptable accuracy.

Relationship between the elongated styloid process in panoramic radiographs and some of the general health conditions in patients over 40 years of age in the Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: The styloid process and the attached ligaments have the potential for calcification and ossification in specific conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the elongated styloid process (ESP) frequency and some of the systemic health factors of patients over 40 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytical-descriptive study, 296 panoramic radiographs of patients over 40 years of age (165 female and 131 male) referred to the Dental School of Khorasgan Azad University were selected. The length of the styloid process was measured by a special ruler and recorded in a questionnaire form. Other data such as sex, age, height, weight, blood pressure, heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth were also recorded. The lengths equal to or more than 30 mm on the radiographs were considered as ESP. Data analysis were done by independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test at a significance level of < 0.05. RESULTS: ESP was observed in 135 cases (45.6%). There was a significant relationship between ESP and the body height, weight and the blood pressure, but there was no significant correlation between ESP, the heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth. CONCLUSION: Because of the significant relationship between the length of the styloid process and the blood pressure, height and weight it is reasonable to evaluate a patient's systemic health conditions when radiographic signs of ESP are observed.