Pharyngeal airway spaces in different skeletal malocclusions: a CBCT 3D assessment.

Objective: To three-dimensionally evaluate the upper pharyngeal airway spaces in adults with different anteroposterior and vertical skeletal malocclusions.Methods: In this retrospective study, three-dimensional airway volume and the minimum constricted areas of 120 adults were measured from cone beam computed tomography volume scans. The sample was divided into skeletal Class I and Class II and subdivided into average and long face malocclusions in each skeletal Class. Airway volumes of the naso-, palato-, and glossopharynx, and the minimum constricted area were measured and compared.Results: Skeletal Class II reduced glossopharyngeal airway volume and larger total minimum constricted area in average faces and more nasal minimum constricted area in long faces. Skeletal Class II with long face significantly increased palatopharyngeal and glossopharyngeal airway volumes as well as larger palatopharyngeal minimum constricted area (p < 0.05).Conclusion: This paper found a likely association between jaw skeletal classification and airway dimensions.

Anatomical variations and bilateral symmetry of roots and root canal system of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population utilizing cone- beam computed tomography.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of the roots and root canal system, and to determine the symmetry between right and left sides of mandibular first permanent molars in Saudi Arabian population using images derived from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. METHODS: The CBCT scans (with the following parameters: FOV 170 × 120 mm, 90 Kv, 5-8 mA, 17.5 s exposure time and 0.25 mm voxel size) were retrieved from the database and axial, coronal and sagittal sections of mandibular first molars were examined. The number of roots, canals and type of canal configuration based on Vertucci's classification were recorded. Bilateral symmetry between right and left side of the same individuals and differences between genders were investigated. RESULTS: Out of 174 mandibular first molars, 97.1% were two rooted and 2.9% were three rooted (distolingual root). In regards to the number of canals, 73% had three, 25.3% had four and 1.7% had two root canals. In teeth with four root canals, 90.9% of the extra canal was in the distal root, while 9.1% in the extra distolingual root. The most common canal configuration in mesial and distal root were type IV (64.9%) and type I (77%), respectively. Symmetrical analysis revealed 100% symmetry in number of roots and 56.4% in number of canals between right and left teeth in the same individual. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this study, wide range of canals configurations were noted in mandibular first molars among the Saudi Arabian population. The prevalence of three rooted mandibular first molars was relatively low. Three canals were most commonly seen in mandibular first molars. Bilateral symmetry was varied in number of canals and canals configurations, which could be of clinical significance while performing root canal treatment on both side mandibular first permanent molars.

IDIOS: An innovative index for evaluating dental imaging-based osteoporosis screening indices.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to develop a new index as an objective reference for evaluating current and newly developed indices used for osteoporosis screening based on dental images. Its name; IDIOS, stands for Index of Dental-imaging Indices of Osteoporosis Screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted to retrieve studies on dental imaging-based indices for osteoporosis screening. The results of the eligible studies, along with other relevant criteria, were used to develop IDIOS, which has scores ranging from 0 (0%) to 15 (100%). The indices presented in the studies we included were then evaluated using IDIOS. RESULTS: The 104 studies that were included utilized 24, 4, and 9 indices derived from panoramic, periapical, and computed tomographic/cone-beam computed tomographic techniques, respectively. The IDIOS scores for these indices ranged from 0 (0%) to 11.75 (78.32%). CONCLUSION: IDIOS is a valuable reference index that facilitates the evaluation of other dental imaging-based osteoporosis screening indices. Furthermore, IDIOS can be utilized to evaluate the accuracy of newly developed indices.