Measurement of the mandibular canal and mandibular incisive canal using cone beam tomography in adults from South Brazil.

PURPOSE: To identify and measure the distance from the dental apices to the mandibular (MC) and mandibular incisive (MIC) canals, the diameter of the MC and the distances of the mental foramen (MF). METHODS: In this retrospective study, cone-beam computed tomography scans of 144 adult patients (males and females) from a dental school in South Brazil were evaluated. Cross-sections were selected on the MC and the MIC paths, perpendicular to the mandibular base, and measurements were taken from the dental apices to the mandibular cortices. The measurement and location of the mandibular and mental foramen on both sides were compared. Paired t-tests compared sides, while Student's t-tests compared sexes (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The distance from the dental apices to the upper wall of the MC was closest in the third molar and farthest in the central incisor region. In both sexes and sides, the path of the MC is in most cases lingually in the molar regions and moves to the buccal region from the second premolar. The MF emerges in the regions between the premolars or near the second premolar. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight the importance of evaluating specific individual characteristics of a given population.

Radiographic changes of trabecular bone density after loading of implant-supported complete dentures: A 3-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Bone tissues may undergo remodeling under functional mechanical stimuli. PURPOSE: This prospective study on implant-supported fixed complete dentures (IFCDs) evaluated the radiographic trabecular bone changes in density by means of gray levels and texture analysis variables after up to 3-year loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of digital periapical radiographs of 63 distal implants of hybrid IFCDs installed in 30 patients (22 women, mean age of 62 ± 7.8 years). Digital periapical radiographs were taken after prosthesis installation, and 1 and 3 years after IFCD loading. Longitudinal images of each implant were superimposed, and the same regions of interest were selected for measurement of gray levels statistics (mean gray levels, SD, and coefficient of variation [CV]) and texture parameters (correlation, contrast, entropy, and angular second moment). Data were analyzed by mixed regression models. RESULTS: Mean gray levels increased for 1 year (P < .05), for 3 years (P < .01) and for maximum bite force (P < .01). The interaction between bruxism and time in 1 year was significant (P < .01) for a decrease in CV. No significant effect of texture analysis variables was found (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest an increase of radiographic bone density as measured by an increase in mean gray levels and a decrease in CV in IFCD distal implants up to 3 years of loading.

Implant Inclination and Cantilever Length Are Not Associated with Bone Loss in Fixed Complete Dentures: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether the inclination of the most distal implant and the cantilever length influence marginal bone loss in implant-supported fixed complete dentures (ISFCDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel method using computed tomography images was developed to measure the mesiodistal implant inclination. The cantilever length was measured during ISFCD fabrication. Radiographs were obtained after ISFCD installation at 1 and 3 years after loading. RESULTS: A total of 30 subjects with 62 implants were included. Accumulated marginal bone loss was 0.35 ± 0.49 mm. No significant association was found between marginal bone loss and cantilever length or implant inclination. CONCLUSION: Implant inclination and cantilever length do not seem to affect marginal bone loss.

Validity of 2D lateral cephalometry in orthodontics: a systematic review.

Lateral cephalometric radiography is commonly used as a standard tool in orthodontic assessment and treatment planning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available scientific literature and existing evidence for the validation of using lateral cephalometric imaging for orthodontic treatment planning. The secondary objective was to determine the accuracy and reliability of this technique. We did not attempt to evaluate the value of this radiographic technique for other purposes. A literature search was performed using specific keywords on electronic databases: Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science. Two reviewers selected relevant articles, corresponding to predetermined inclusion criteria. The electronic search was followed by a hand search of the reference lists of relevant papers. Two reviewers assessed the level of evidence of relevant publications as high, moderate or low. Based on this, the evidence grade for diagnostic efficacy was rated as strong, moderately strong, limited or insufficient. The initial search revealed 784 articles listed in MEDLINE (Ovid), 1,034 in Scopus and 264 articles in the Web of Science. Only 17 articles met the inclusion criteria and were selected for qualitative synthesis. Results showed seven studies on the role of cephalometry in orthodontic treatment planning, eight concerning cephalometric measurements and landmark identification and two on cephalometric analysis. It is surprising that, notwithstanding the 968 articles published in peer-reviewed journals, scientific evidence on the usefulness of this radiographic technique in orthodontics is still lacking, with contradictory results. More rigorous research on a larger study population should be performed to achieve full evidence on this topic.

Sialolitíase de glândulas salivares menores: relato de um caso / Sialolithiasis of the minor salivary glands: report of one case

Os autores relatam um caso de sialolitíase de glândulas salivares menores presente no lábio superior de um paciente adulto do sexo masculino, o qual, clinicamente, assemelhava-se a um mucocele. A lesäo foi diagnosticada e tratada na Clínica de Estomatologia do Curso de Mestrado em Odontologia da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB)