Prevalence, classification and dental treatment requirements of dens invaginatus by cone-beam computed tomography.

Background: This study aimed the evaluation of the prevalence, characteristics, types of dens invaginatus (DI) and co-observed dental anomalies to understand dental treatment requirements in anterior teeth that are susceptible to developmental anomalies by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: In this retrospective study, the anterior teeth of 958 patients were evaluated by using CBCT for the presence of DI. The demographic features, types of DI and treatment requirements were also recorded. The association between sex and the presence of DI was evaluated using chi-squared test. Results: Seventy-three DI anomalies were detected in the anterior teeth of 49 patients (18 females, 31 males). The frequency of DI was 5.11% and the most frequently involved teeth were lateral (57.53%). Forty-six teeth were classified as Type I (63.01%), 24 as Type II (32.87%), and three as Type III (4.10%). Apical pathosis was found to be 20.54% in all DIs detected and accounted for all Type III and one-third of Type II. Conclusions: CBCT imaging can be effective in the detection of dental anomalies such as DI and planning for root canal therapy and surgical treatments. Prophylactic interventions might be possible to prevent apical pathosis with the data obtained from CBCT images.

An Alternative Classification Scheme for Accessory Mental Foramen.

BACKGROUND: The mental foramen (MF) is an important anatomical landmark on the mandible. MFs may occur singly or with extra foramina (accessory mental foramen (AMF)). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to discuss the importance of recognition and classification of AMFs. METHODS: This study assessed CBCT images of 593 patients (208 male, 385 female) and proposed an AMF classification scheme based on three different characteristics: (1) location of the AMF with respect to the MF; (2) relationship of AMFs with tooth apices; and (3) origin of the AMF. The chi-squared test was used to compare the qualitative data as well as descriptive statistical methods when the study data were evaluated. Significance was assessed at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: A total of 80 AMFs were found in 71 patients. Six cases involved bilateral AMFs, whereas three cases showed double AMFs. The most common AMF location was the region posterior of the MF. Notably, all the AMFs detected in line with the mesial half of the first molar were present in female patients. Based on AMF origins, 44.5%, 48.6%, and 6.7% of the AMFs were categorized as type I, type II, and a new category identified in this study, type III. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that some foramina locations were not considered in the previous classification. Recognition and identification of these foramina might be critical to prevent possible complications. The proposed classification scheme may facilitate this objective and can be a new focus for future studies.

A bibliometric analysis of the 103 top-cited articles in endodontics.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the 100 top-cited articles in endodontics and analyse their bibliometric characteristics. Material and methods: The Web of Science database was reviewed to identify the relevant articles. Results: One hundred and three articles were included because the last four articles had the same number of citations. The top-cited article received 2115 citations. The articles were published in 28 different journals, with the most popular publication being the Journal of Endodontics (n = 36). The most prolific country was the United States (n = 41), followed by Sweden (n = 17) and Switzerland (n = 8). The most prolific author and institution were M. Torabinejad (n = 12) and Umeå University (n = 9), respectively. The majority of articles were of a basic science nature (n = 55), while endodontic microbiology (n = 24) was the most frequent subspecialty. The most common study design used in clinical articles was non-randomized experimental study (n = 5). Half of the clinical articles (n = 11) had a level III evidence score. Conclusions: The present citation analysis provides insights into the historical progress and current trends in endodontics.

Treatment of extraoral cutaneous sinus tracts with non-surgical endodontic intervention: report of six cases.

Clinically, extraoral sinus tracts of endodontic origin may be confused with a wide variety of diseases. Thus, the differential diagnosis of this clinical dilemma is of paramount importance in providing appropriate clinical care because misdiagnosis of this condition may result in healing failure or unnecessary treatments. For this reason, a dental cause must be considered for any cutaneous sinus tract involving the face or neck. Its diagnosis is not always easy unless the treating clinician considers the possibility of its dental origin. Once the correct diagnosis is made, definitive treatment, through either tooth extraction or root canal therapy to eliminate the source of infection, is simple and effective.